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

When he was in his 20s, his uncle was killed in front of him by a co-worker who set him on fire with a Molotov cocktail.

From Los Angeles Times

A German palliative care doctor has been charged with murdering 15 of his patients using a cocktail of lethal drugs.

From BBC

On the trade show floor, all manner of vendors were selling the latest popcorn toppings, reclining theater seats, carpet samples and a smart bar that said it would pour the perfect cocktail in four seconds.

From Los Angeles Times

They’ve got a shrimp cocktail there that, when it comes out, it’s like a meal in itself.

From Los Angeles Times

Try a tarragon syrup in lemonade, some muddled tarragon in cocktails or the slight anise flavor in homemade iced tea.

From Salon

Related Words

• aperitif
• appetizer
• drink
• wine