cocktail

¹ American  

[kok-teyl] / ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

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.

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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 American  

[kok-teyl] / ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

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.

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cocktail ¹ British  

/ 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

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cocktail ² British  

/ 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

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

“Purveyors of prestigious names from history for wealthy idiots who want to brag at their cocktail parties, ‘Oh, yes, my little Henry comes from a line of British kings.’

From Literature

Countries including Canada, Russia, Spain and Germany have advised their citizens to avoid traveling to the island, long associated with picturesque beaches and cities, cocktails, live music and dancing.

From Barron's

To kill some time before cocktail hour, I visited the free Richelieu Library, where I joined other tourists peering into the Labrouste Room, canopied with a Byzantine-inspired nine-dome ceiling.

From The Wall Street Journal

Scott Baird, of the storied Starlite bar atop the Beacon Grand Hotel in San Francisco, suggests you think of premium cocktails as “the tomahawk rib-eye of the cocktail world.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Mom used to greet party guests with glasses of champagne, her satin cocktail dress swishing above her knees and her high heels clicking against the wood floor.

From Literature

Related Words

• aperitif
• appetizer
• drink
• wine