cocktail
noun
- alcoholic mixed drink
- mixture of substances
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒk.teɪl/ / /ˈkɑk.teɪl/ / /ˈkɔk.tæɪl/
adj
Etymology: Early 17th century, from cock (“male bird”) + tail, in the sense “(a horse with its) tail standing up, like a cock’s”. The origin of the extension to “an alcoholic mixed drink” is unknown. One theory is that it refers to a stimulant (gingering), hence a stimulating drink; compare pick-me-up. Another attested use is for non-thoroughbred racehorses: these were considered "cock-tailed" due to their docked tails. This may have led to the term "cocktail" (sense 1) being used for an adulterated spirit.
- Ostentatiously lacking in manners.
“It looks very cocktail to be seen riding through the streets of London in a scarlet coat ;”
“The Prince had nothing particular about him but a monstrous smart whip with a gold stag for a handle, which was pronounced a very cocktail looking instrument by the Leicestershire farmers, with whom His Serene Highness is no favorite”
noun
Etymology: Early 17th century, from cock (“male bird”) + tail, in the sense “(a horse with its) tail standing up, like a cock’s”. The origin of the extension to “an alcoholic mixed drink” is unknown. One theory is that it refers to a stimulant (gingering), hence a stimulating drink; compare pick-me-up. Another attested use is for non-thoroughbred racehorses: these were considered "cock-tailed" due to their docked tails. This may have led to the term "cocktail" (sense 1) being used for an adulterated spirit.
- A mixed alcoholic beverage.
“They visited a bar noted for its wide range of cocktails.”
“[...] a certain candidate has placed in his account of Loss and Gain, the following items:-- LOSS [...] 411 glasses bitters[,] 25 do. cock-tail”
- A mixture of other substances or things.
“Scientists found a cocktail of pollutants in the river downstream from the chemical factory.”
“a cocktail of illegal drugs”
- A horse, not of pure breed, but having only one eighth or one sixteenth impure blood in its veins.
“A “cock-tail” is a horse not purely bred, but with only one-eighth or one-sixteenth impure blood in his veins”
- A mean, half-hearted fellow.
“It was in the second affair that poor little Barney showed he was a cocktail.”
- A species of rove beetle, so called from its habit of elevating the tail.
verb
Etymology: Early 17th century, from cock (“male bird”) + tail, in the sense “(a horse with its) tail standing up, like a cock’s”. The origin of the extension to “an alcoholic mixed drink” is unknown. One theory is that it refers to a stimulant (gingering), hence a stimulating drink; compare pick-me-up. Another attested use is for non-thoroughbred racehorses: these were considered "cock-tailed" due to their docked tails. This may have led to the term "cocktail" (sense 1) being used for an adulterated spirit.
- To adulterate (fuel, etc.) by mixing in other substances.
- To treat (a person) to cocktails.
“He dined and cocktailed her at the most exclusive bars and restaurants.”