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. 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

cocktail

²

/ 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

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

Origin of cocktail²

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

At least 33 states and the District of Columbia are temporarily allowing cocktails to-go during the pandemic.

From Fortune

This reduces demand for all types of liquors, but particularly high-end liquors used for cocktails.

From Quartz

For straightforward scenarios like this one, the calculation might fit on a cocktail napkin.

From Quanta Magazine

Catching the trend of cocktails called quarantinis and registered racehorse names like Wearamask, two fungal species now have pandemic-inspired monikers.

From Science News

Companies like Regeneron are looking at a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies to hit at multiple points.

From Nautilus

Medication can now be taken in a single pill rather than a complex cocktail of tablets.

From The Daily Beast

The lucky recipient gets to choose from a selection of gifts ranging from cocktail kits to packages of wine and premium spirits.

From The Daily Beast

For the dapper gent whose favorite accessory is a strong cocktail.

From The Daily Beast

The Old-Fashioned is the crème of the cocktail crop—according to Don Draper, at least.

From The Daily Beast

Chicken satay and shrimp cocktail are also good options, as you can watch the skewers and tails stack up.

From The Daily Beast

Miss Mayblunt begged to be allowed to keep her cocktail untouched before her, just to look at.

From Project Gutenberg

He got out of the chair and pointed at her, and a few glasses on a cocktail tray tipped over.

From Project Gutenberg

In a few minutes he led Peter away to one of the bars where they usually took their cocktail.

From Project Gutenberg

The barkeeper was nonplussed, and asked what a tin-roof cocktail was.

From Project Gutenberg

The hour was early; we had the place to ourselves as we pledged each other in the quaint device they call a cocktail at the Pavao.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aperitif
• appetizer
• drink
• wine