malt

& a. [A. S. mealt, in compos. mealthús =a malt-house, from mealt, pa. t. of melt an =to melt; cogn. with Dut. mout; Icel. malt =malt, melt a = to malt; Dan. & Sw.malt =malt; Ger. malz.] A. As substantive: 1. Grain, usually barley, steeped in water and fermented, by which the storch of the grain is converted into saccharine matter, dried on a kiln, and then used in brewing ale, stout, beer, or porter, and in the distillation of whisky. " Malt is consumed not only in the brewery of beer and ale, but in the manufacture of low wines es and spirits." Smith: Wealth of Nations , bk. v., ch. ii. 2. Liquor brewed from malt; beer, malt-liquor. B. As adj.: Pertaining to, containing, or made of malt.