​ALCOHOL, in chemistry, signifies spirit of wine, in a more ardent and purified state, obtained by distillation. Its specific gravity is to that of distilled water, as 815 to 1000. Whten diluted, in the proportion of about twenty ounces to seventeen of water, it is called proof spirit, and is ​used for tinctures, distilled cordials, &c.—See the article, Spirit of Wine.