[The name of an island (a Dutch dependency) in the Caribbean sea, near the coast of Venezuela. Curaçao is the Spanish (and so Dutch and French) spelling; Curaçoa a very frequent mis-spelling in English.] A liqueur consisting of spirits flavored with the peel of bitter oranges, and sweetened.
So called either because first received from the island of Curaçao, or because Curaçao oranges were used in its preparation.
[1810. R. J. Thornton, Family Herbal, 658. The unripe fruit dried, are called Curaçoa oranges.]
1813. Moore, Post-bag (L.). And it pleased me to think at a house that you know Were such good mutton cutlets and strong curaçoa.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xi. She took curaçao with her coffee.
Curaçao bird: see CURASSOW.
