speakeasy

[ speek-ee-zee ]
/ ˈspikˌi zi /

noun, plural speak·eas·ies.

a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition.

Origin of speakeasy

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; speak + easy

historical usage of speakeasy

Speakeasies are usually and correctly associated with American Prohibition (1920–33), but the word actually goes back to the late 1880s in the United States, and back even further in Australia (the 1830s). Speakeasies are so named not because the customers were quiet, shy, or taciturn, but because no one wanted to attract the attention of unsympathetic neighbors, the local police, or the revenuers by talking too loudly.

Example sentences from the Web for speakeasy

British Dictionary definitions for speakeasy

speakeasy
/ (ˈspiːkˌiːzɪ) /

noun plural -easies

US a place where alcoholic drink was sold illicitly during Prohibition

Word Origin for speakeasy

C19: from speak + easy (in the sense: gently, quietly)