Which of the following best defines "liquor" as per narrowing semantics?

Prepare for the VCE English Language Test. Study with questions that include hints and explanations. Gain confidence for your exam!

The term "liquor" is best defined as an alcoholic beverage due to the process of narrowing semantics, which involves a broad category being restricted to a more specific meaning over time. Originally, "liquor" might have referred to any form of liquid, but its contemporary usage is specifically associated with distilled alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, rum, vodka, and gin. This reflects a refinement in meaning where the focus shifts from a general description of liquids to a particular subset that meets specific criteria, namely, containing alcohol. This evolution highlights the linguistic phenomenon where words become more specialized in their application within a language.

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