*beer*

{ or } n. (Chem.) An alkaloid got from the bark of the bebeeru, or green heart of Guiana (Nectandra Rodiœi). It is a tonic, antiperiodic, and febrifuge, and is used in medicine as a substitute for quinine. [ Written also bibirine. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. beor, ber, AS. beór; akin to Fries. biar, Icel. bj&unr_;rr, OHG. bior, D. & G. bier, and possibly E. brew. √93, See Brew. ] 1. A fermented liquor made from any malted grain, but commonly from barley malt, with hops or some other substance to impart a bitter flavor. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Beer has different names, as small beer, ale, porter, brown stout, lager beer, according to its strength, or other qualities. See Ale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A fermented extract of the roots and other parts of various plants, as spruce, ginger, sassafras, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Small beer, weak beer; (fig.) insignificant matters. “To suckle fools, and chronicle small beer.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a protruding potbelly caused by excessive drinking of beer.
Syn. -- beer gut. [ PJC ]

In one of the less surprising revelations of the year, researchers at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and colleagues have confirmed that excessive consumption of beer can lead to the condition commonly known as beer belly. At the same time, however, they discovered that, beyond aesthetic concerns, the condition may point to health hazards of a more serious nature. In a comparison of beer drinkers and wine drinkers, the scientists found that beer tends to build a central paunch, or “potbelly”, while wine drinkers tend to have narrower waists, even when the same amount of alcohol and calories is consumed by both. The Scientist -- December 11, 1995.

n. [ Beer + eager. ] Sour beer. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. same as beer belly.
Syn. -- beer gut. [ PJC ]

n. A house where malt liquors are sold; an alehouse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Beery condition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or resembling beer; affected by beer; maudlin. [ 1913 Webster ]

def>Beer kept unbroached until it is sharp. Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ G. bockbier; bock a buck + bier beer; -- said to be so named from its tendency to cause the drinker to caper like a goat. ] A strong beer, originally made in Bavaria. [ Also written buck beer. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. F. gambier a kind of hook. ] (Fishing) To gaff, as mackerel. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

pos>n. [ G. lager bed, storehouse + bier beer. See Lair, and Beer. ] Originally a German beer, but now also made in immense quantities in the United States; -- so called from its being laid up or stored for some months before use. [ 1913 Webster ]

. Any of various malt liquors (see Citation below). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Near beer is a term of common currency used to designate all that class of malt liquors which contain so little alcohol (usually less than 1/2 per cent) that they will not produce intoxication, though drunk to excess, and includes in its meaning all malt liquors which are not within the purview of the general prohibition law. Cambell v. City of Thomasville, Georgia Appeal Records, 6 212. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ G. schenkbier; schenken to pour out + bier beer; -- so called because put on draught soon after it is made. ] A mild German beer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Schenkbeer. [ 1913 Webster ]