clairin

English

Alternative forms

• kleren
• klerin

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

clairin (uncountable)

1. A strong Haitian spirit, similar to rum, made from cane sugar.
   • 1988, Wade Davis, Passage of Darkness, page 167:

     The antidote prepared in the Valley of Léogane consisted solely of ammonia, clairin, and various aromatic solutions purchased at the local apothecary.

   • 1995, Mama Lola & Karen McCarthy Brown, in Cosentino (ed.), Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou, South Sea International Press 1998, p. 227:

     I open the door to my altar, spill a little kleren three times, talk with my spirits […].

   • 2013, Amy Wilentz, Farewell, Fred Voodoo, Simon & Schuster, page 10:

     The sunny days were filled with incident and his bottle was filled with klerin.

Translations

Alcoholic drink

• Haitian Creole: kleren
• Spanish: clerén m

Anagrams

• Carlini