beer

English

/bɪə(ɹ)/, /bɪə/, /bɪɹ/, /bɛə/, /ˈbi.ɚ/, /ˈbiː.ə/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) An alcoholic drink fermented from starch material, commonly barley malt, often with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor.
  • (uncountable) A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc.
  • (uncountable) A solution produced by steeping plant materials in water or another fluid.
  • (countable) A glass, bottle, or can of any of the above beverages.
  • (countable) A variety of the above beverages.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English bere (pillowcase) inherited from Old English bēor (beer) inherited from *beuʀ inherited from Proto-Germanic *beuzą (beer) derived from Proto-Indo-European *bʰews- (dross, sediment, brewer's yeast).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*bʰews-

Gloss

dross, sediment, brewer's yeast

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms