cocktail

1
[ kok-teyl ]
/ ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

noun

verb (used without object)

to drink cocktails, especially at a cocktail party: They cocktailed before going to the theater.

adjective

(of women's clothing) styled for semiformal wear: a cocktail dress.
of, pertaining to, used in, or suitable to the serving of cocktails: cocktail onions; cocktail napkins.

Origin of cocktail

1
1800–10, Americanism; origin obscure; none of numerous attempts to explain the orig. of this word or its relationship to cocktail2 have won general acceptance

Definition for cocktail (2 of 2)

cocktail 2
[ kok-teyl ]
/ ˈkɒkˌteɪl /

noun

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

Origin of cocktail

2
First recorded in 1590–1600; cock2 + tail1

Example sentences from the Web for cocktail

British Dictionary definitions for cocktail (1 of 2)

cocktail 1
/ (ˈkɒkˌteɪl) /

noun

  1. any mixed drink with a spirit base, usually drunk before meals
  2. (as modifier)the cocktail hour
an appetizer of seafood, mixed fruits, etc
any combination of diverse elements, esp one considered potent
(modifier) appropriate for formal occasions a cocktail dress

Word Origin for cocktail

C19: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for cocktail (2 of 2)

cocktail 2
/ (ˈkɒkˌteɪl) /

noun

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

Word Origin for cocktail

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

Medical definitions for cocktail

cocktail
[ kŏktāl ]

n.

A mixture of drugs, usually in solution, for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition.
A treatment regimen that includes a combination of several drugs that enhances their individual potency.