proof spirit

n.
An alcohol-water mixture or a beverage containing a standard amount of alcohol, the U.S. standard being 100 proof, or 50 percent, of ethyl alcohol by volume at 60°F (approximately 15.6°C).

An old method of describing the alcohol content of spirits; originally defined as a solution of alcohol of such strength that it will ignite when mixed with gunpowder. Proof spirit contains 57.07% alcohol by volume or 49.24% by weight in the UK. In the USA it contains 50% alcohol by volume. Pure (absolute) alcohol is 175.25° proof UK or 200° proof USA. Nowadays alcohol content is usually measured as % alcohol by volume.

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The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a mixture containing half alcohol by volume at 60 degrees Fahrenheit

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