Barley or other grain, steeped in water and dried in a kiln, thus forcing germination until the saccharine principle has been evolved. It is used in brewing and in the distillation of whisky. [1913 Webster]

malt, a.

Relating to, containing, or made with, malt. [1913 Webster]

Malt liquor, an alcoholic liquor, as beer, ale, porter, etc., prepared by fermenting an infusion of malt. -- Malt dust, fine particles of malt, or of the grain used in making malt; -- used as a fertilizer. “ Malt dust consists chiefly of the infant radicle separated from the grain.” Sir H. Davy. -- Malt floor, a floor for drying malt. -- Malt house, or Malthouse, a house in which malt is made. -- Malt kiln, a heated chamber for drying malt.

malt, v. t.

To make into malt; as, to malt barley. [1913 Webster]

malt, v. i.

To become malt; also, to make grain into malt. Mortimer. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

malt, n. & v.
--n.
1 barley or other grain that is steeped, germinated, and dried, esp. for brewing or distilling and vinegar-making.
2 colloq. malt whisky; malt liquor.
--v.
1 tr. convert (grain) into malt.
2 intr. (of seeds) become malt when germination is checked by drought.

Idiom

malted milk
1 a hot drink made from dried milk and a malt preparation.
2 the powdered mixture from which this is made. malt-house a building used for preparing and storing malt. malt liquor alcoholic liquor made from malt by fermentation, not distillation, e.g. beer, stout. malt whisky whisky made from malted barley.

Etymology

OE m(e)alt f. Gmc, rel. to MELT

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