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
Words nearby cocktail
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.
Example sentences from the Web for cocktail
British Dictionary definitions for cocktail (1 of 2)
cocktail
1
/ (ˈkɒkˌteɪl) /
noun
- any mixed drink with a spirit base, usually drunk before meals
- (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
[ kŏk′tāl ]
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.