First Known Use: 1596
Dictionary
bourbon
noun bour·bon \ˈbu̇r-bən, ˈbȯr-; usually ˈbər- in sense 3\
: a type of American whiskey made from corn, malt, and rye
Full Definition of BOURBON
1
capitalized : a member of a French family founded in 1272 to which belong the rulers of France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830, of Spain from 1700 to 1808, from 1814 to 1868, from 1875 to 1931, and from 1975, of Naples from 1735 to 1805, and of the Two Sicilies from 1815 to 1860
2
[Bourbon (now Réunion), French island in the Indian Ocean] : a rose (Rosa borboniana) of upright growth with shining leaves, prickly branches, and clustered large flowers
3
[Bourbon County, Kentucky] : a whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 51 percent corn plus malt and rye — compare corn whiskey
4
often capitalized : a person who clings obstinately to old social and political ideas; specifically : an extremely conservative member of the United States Democratic party usually from the South
— bour·bon·ism \-bə-ˌni-zəm\ noun often capitalized
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Origin of BOURBON
Bourbon, seigniory in France
Bourbon
biographical name Bour·bon \ˈbu̇r-bən, bu̇r-ˈbōⁿ\
Definition of BOURBON
Charles de 1490–1527 Duc de Bourbon Fr. gen.; constable of France
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