cocktail

¹

[ kok-teyl ]

noun

1. any of various mixed drinks, consisting typically of gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, or brandy, with different admixtures, as vermouth, fruit juices, or flavorings, usually chilled and frequently sweetened.
2. a portion of food, as seafood served with a sauce or a mixture of fruits cut into pieces, served as an appetizer or first course:

   a shrimp cocktail;

   a fruit cocktail.

3. a mixture of various drugs usually a beverage or solution:

   a liquid drug cocktail for terminal patients;

   a cocktail of pills taken twice a day.

4. any diverse mixture of elements, especially one with a powerful effect:

   an impressive cocktail of skills and experiences.

verb (used without object)

1. to drink cocktails, especially at a cocktail party:

   They cocktailed before going to the theater.

adjective

1. (of women's clothing) styled for semiformal wear:

   a knee-length cocktail dress.

2. of, pertaining to, used in, or suitable to the serving of cocktails:

   cocktail onions;

   cocktail napkins.

cocktail

²

[ kok-teyl ]

noun

1. a horse with a docked tail.
2. a horse that is not a thoroughbred.
3. a man of little breeding who passes for a gentleman.

cocktail

¹

/ ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

noun

1. 1. any mixed drink with a spirit base, usually drunk before meals
   2. ( as modifier )

      the cocktail hour

2. an appetizer of seafood, mixed fruits, etc
3. any combination of diverse elements, esp one considered potent
4. modifier appropriate for formal occasions

   a cocktail dress

cocktail

²

/ ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

noun

1. a horse with a docked tail
2. an animal of unknown or mixed breeding
3. archaic.
   a person of little breeding pretending to be a gentleman

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocktail¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10; origin obscure; none of numerous attempts to explain the origin of this word or its relationship to cocktail ² have won general acceptance

Origin of cocktail²

First recorded in 1750–60; cock ² + tail ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocktail¹

C19: of unknown origin

Origin of cocktail²

C19: originally cocktailed (adj) having a tail like a cock's

Example Sentences

Extremely sick patients like Patterson require bespoke phage cocktails that perfectly match their microbes, and may even need new phages as the bacteria evolve.

From Salon

“We built ourselves a giant cocktail, sat on the side of the bed and cried like babies,” Mason remembers.

From Los Angeles Times

Lobsterfest, in which an array of special lobster dishes and sides and cocktails are served for a limited time only, will also continue to be a major showcase.

From Salon

In his call to authorities about the mosque, he claimed that he had an illegally modified AR-15, a Glock 17 pistol, pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails.

From Los Angeles Times

We have a very strong and robust N/A cocktail and beer program.

From Salon

Related Words

• aperitif
• appetizer
• drink
• wine