cocktailcock‧tail /ˈkɒkteɪl $ ˈkɑːk-/ ●●○ noun [countable] 
an alcoholic drink made from a mixture of different drinks2seafood/prawn/lobster cocktail small pieces of fish, prawns, or lobster served cold with a sauce and eaten as the first part of a meal3fruit cocktail a mixture of small pieces of fruit4a mixture of several things which is dangerous, unpleasant, confusing, or excitingcocktail of
a lethal cocktail of painkillers and whisky The book contains a powerful cocktail of romance, family crises, and big business. → Molotov cocktail
WORD ORIGINcocktail
Origin:
1800-1900 Probably from cocktail ‘horse with a tail cut short so that it looks like a male chicken's, horse of mixed breed (with such a tail), mixture’ (1800-1900)EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He died after taking a lethal cocktail of alcohol and tranquilizers.
- I find that traditional cocktail foods are always very popular and Devils or Angels on Horseback are a guaranteed success.
- It will test whether using a cocktail of five or more drugs is an improvement on three.
- Johnnie cruised away with another tray of cocktails.
- Roll up carefully from head to tail and secure with one or two cocktail sticks. 3.
- There's this one: a woman sitting in a bar, wearing a cocktail outfit.
- Years ago, rooms would have a cocktail table that matched the end table and the sofa table.
WORD SETS
absinth, nounalcohol, nounale, nounalehouse, nounaperitif, nounbaby milk, nounbar, nounbarfly, nounbarhop, verbbarkeeper, nounbarley wine, nounbarmaid, nounbarman, nounbartender, nounbeef tea, nounbeer, nounbenedictine, nounbeverage, nounbibulous, adjectivebistro, nounbitter, nounblack, adjectivebootleg, verbbooze, nounboozer, nounbooze-up, nounboozing, nounboozy, adjectivebottle, verbbouquet, nounbourbon, nounbrandy, nounbreathe, verbbrew, verbbrew, nounbrewer, nounbrewery, nounbroach, verbBuck's Fizz, nounburgundy, nounbuttermilk, nouncamomile, nouncappuccino, nouncarbonated, adjectivecask, nouncellar, nounchalice, nounchampagne, nounchampers, nounchar, nounchartreuse, nounchaser, nounChelsea bun, nounchocolate, nouncider, nounclaret, nounclub soda, nouncoaster, nounCoca-Cola, cocktail, nouncocktail lounge, nouncocktail shaker, nouncocktail stick, nouncocktail waitress, nouncocoa, nouncoffee, nouncoffee bar, nouncoffee bean, nouncoffee machine, nouncoffeemaker, nouncoffee mill, nouncognac, nouncola, nounconsommé, nouncordial, nouncork, nouncork, verbcorkage, nouncorked, adjectivecorkscrew, nouncorn whiskey, nouncrème de menthe, nouncup, nouncuppa, nouncuraçao, noundaiquiri, noundecaf, noundecaffeinated, adjectivedecanter, noundessert wine, noundipsomaniac, noundissipated, adjectivedissipation, noundissolute, adjectivedistiller, noundistillery, noundram, noundraught, noundregs, noundried milk, noundrink, verbdrink, noundrinkable, adjectivedrinking fountain, noundrinking-up time, noundrinking water, noundrinks machine, noundrinks party, noundrop, noundry, adjectiveDutch courage, nounespresso, nounethyl alcohol, nounferment, verbfinger, nounfizz, nounflat, adjectivefloat, nounfortified wine, nounfroth, nounfroth, verbfrothy, adjectivefull-cream, adjectiveGandT, noungassy, adjectivegin, noungin and tonic, nounginger ale, nounginger beer, nounglass, noungreen tea, noungrenadine, noungrog, noungumbo, nounhalf, nounhalf-and-half, nounhangover, nounhappy hour, nounhead, nounhighball, nounhip flask, nounhock, nounhogshead, nounhome brew, nounhooch, nounhot chocolate, nounice bucket, nounice cube, nounice water, nouninfuse, verbinfusion, nounintoxicant, nounintoxicating, adjectiveIrish coffee, nounjar, nounjigger, nounjuice, nounkeg, nounkirsch, nounlace, verblager, nounlandlord, nounlemon, nounlemonade, nounlicensed, adjectivelicensing laws, nounlight, adjectivelight ale, nounlimeade, nounliqueur, nounliquor, nounlite, adjectivelocal, nounlounge bar, nounMadeira, nounmagnum, nounmalt, nounmalted, nounmalt liquor, nounmaraschino, nounmargarita, nounMartini, nounmash, nounmature, adjectivemature, verbmead, nounmeasure, nounmellow, verbmilk, nounmilk shake, nounmilky, adjectivemineral water, nounmint julep, nounmix, verbmixer, nounmocha, nounmoonshine, nounmulled wine, nounneat, adjectivenectar, nounnightcap, nounnip, nounnoggin, nounnon-alcoholic, adjectiveoff-licence, nounopen bar, nounorangeade, nounouzo, nounpale ale, nounparalytic, adjectivepasteurized, adjectivepercolate, verbperk, verbperry, nounpick-me-up, nounpiña colada, nounpink gin, nounpint, nounplonk, nounpop, nounport, nounporter, nounprohibitionist, nounproof, nounpunch, nounquaff, verbrake, nounrat-arsed, adjectivered, nounrefill, nounrefreshment, nounretsina, nounring-pull, nounroot beer, nounrosé, nounrotgut, nounrum, nounrye, nounsake, nounsaloon, nounsangria, nounsarsaparilla, nounschnapps, nounScotch, nounscrewdriver, nounscrumpy, nounsediment, nounsemi-skimmed milk, nounshake, nounshaker, nounshandy, nounshebeen, nounsherry, nounshort, nounshot, nounsiphon, nounsix-pack, nounskimmed milk, nounslimline, adjectivesloe gin, nounslug, nounslush, nounsnifter, nounsoda, nounsoda siphon, nounsoda water, nounsoft drink, nounsparkling, adjectivespeakeasy, nounspike, verbspirit, nounsplash, nounspritzer, nounsquash, nounstein, nounstewed, adjectivestill, adjectivestill, nounstout, nounstraight, adjectivestraw, nounsundowner, nounsup, verbswig, verbswill, verbswizzle stick, nountab, nountable wine, nountall, adjectivetankard, nountavern, nountea, nounteabag, nounteahouse, nountea leaves, nountearoom, nountea shop, nountea urn, nountemperance, nountequila, nountied house, nountippler, nountoddy, nountonic, nountop-up, nountot, nounTurkish coffee, nountwo-percent milk, nounUHT milk, noununcork, verbvermouth, nounvintage, adjectivevintage, nounvintner, nounvodka, nounwater, verbwatering hole, nounweak, adjectivewet bar, nounwhisky, nounwhite, adjectivewine cooler, nounwrecked, adjectiveyeast, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a lethal cocktail of painkillers and whiskyCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a lethal cocktail of drink and pills
a lethal cocktail of painkillers and whisky (=a formal dress but not usually a long one)· She wore a little black cocktail dress.
a lethal cocktail of drink and pills (=a fairly formal party, at which alcoholic drinks are served)· I first met him at a cocktail party at the American embassy.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· In a flourish of biochemical altruism, they manufacture deadly molecules and then turn this lethal cocktail upon themselves.· These lethal tinned cocktails are treated as soft drinks, as is beer.· It probably illustrates it's a lethal cocktail of lorries and cars.· After all, each state comprised an often lethal cocktail of peoples.
NOUN· It is only 500 metres from the centre of Dassia with its array of cocktail bars, pubs and discos.· A cocktail bar, with two or three bar stools in front of it, took up the whole of one corner.· The origins of the hotel are also apparent in the impressive entrance hall, cocktail bar and lounge.· If the plans get the go-ahead the Inn will become a hotel, pub and nightclub with a restaurant and cocktail bar.· The smart cocktail bar is an ideal meeting place with a pleasant atmosphere and the restaurant serves a good selection of food.· The Krallerhof has several bars: the Kralleralm, two cocktail bars, and the igloo bar.· They met in the cocktail bar of the Richemond.· With the exception of brands like Janneau and Sempé, armagnac is rarely seen in duty-free lounges or glitzy cocktail bars.
· He reached the cocktail cabinet and leaned over it to scoop up a couple of two-hundred-year-old goblets.· One calls it a console and it looks much like an awful cocktail cabinet.· Other lots of interest included: mahogany four door cocktail cabinet, £230.· A new furniture shop with a three-piece suite in uncut moquette in the window next to a cocktail cabinet shiny as toffee.· Shattered by this thought he had emptied the cocktail cabinet, only to spend the next day nursing a monumental hangover.· The rest was just glasses and booze from Cliff's musical cocktail cabinet.· Bunny dropped the lighter into a china vase in the cocktail cabinet in the prop-room and burnt the letter on the fire.· As Juliet scurried shocked to the cocktail cabinet, Charles asked himself whether he was in fact an alcoholic.
· Northern Whites Cream chenille sweaters, warm oatmeal jackets and ivory cocktail dresses guide the way into winter.· And no, a little black cocktail dress will not do.· Ruth shifted uncomfortably in her azure crêpe de Chine cocktail dress.· Smart casual wear is quite in order for dinner time, but bring one cocktail dress for the Captain's cocktail party.· I have seen her before, in a cocktail dress at some one's party, or at an exhibition perhaps.
· I wonder what conjuring tricks he's planning for the cocktail hour.· These fresh, naturally sweet flavors are also in favor among the cocktail hour set.· He was having a cocktail hour with me.
· At the restaurant they were ushered into a small, extremely hot cocktail lounge.· The gallery looks so much like a cocktail lounge you may be tempted to ask a guard for a martini.· They oversee the hotels' restaurants, cocktail lounges, and banquet facilities.
· The technical supremo is Caroline Fawcett-Inne whose previous experience was organising a cocktail party in a punt one May Week.· Economists who must put up with taunting at cocktail parties should re-member that the road to good intentions is paved with hell.· Visit our two hotels for use of the swimming pool, showers and an evening cocktail party to meet the other crews.· Dearest Timothy Miss Addison had a cocktail party, as she calls it, for four cats in the building.· It was at a cocktail party in the prestigious Monomatapa Hotel.· From his spot at the back of the church, from behind his linen-covered at the cocktail parties, Albert watched.· She's giving a sort of cocktail party this evening and you're invited.· But the big scene happens at a cocktail party in the home of a famous plastic surgeon.
· He broke off and ordered a prawn cocktail.· Their prawn cocktails arrived, together with a carafe of hearty red wine.· The first course was avocado with prawn cocktail dressing.
· Business and pleasure only mix when you're wielding the cocktail shaker.· Automatic mops and aluminum cocktail shakers.
· Remove the cocktail sticks from the salmon olives and place the olives on top of the sauce.· For the dragonflies, mould small curved lengths and mark on segments with a cocktail stick.· Roll the fillets up and secure with a cocktail stick.· Roll one rasher around each prune and secure with a cocktail stick. 3.· Mark lines of bandages on to the mummy's limbs and head with a pointed cocktail stick.· Prop up with a cocktail stick from behind if necessary.· Spread the skin side of each slice with the mustard, roll up and secure carefully with cocktail sticks.· Etching - dip a cocktail stick in lemon juice or vinegar and scratch away the colour when the dyed egg is cold.
· Nobility could be found anywhere, and Charity allowed herself to feel faintly optimistic about her future as a cocktail waitress.· Wilson makes a memorable cameo appearance showing some serious cleavage as a cocktail waitress who attempts to seduce Guy.· Natalie Schneyder, 28, worked as a cocktail waitress until her legs objected.
VERB· They are best used for cocktail savouries, but the cheaper mussels make a very tasty pasta sauce.· It will test whether using a cocktail of five or more drugs is an improvement on three.· Cooking with Capers Capers are often used to garnish cocktail savouries and canapés.· It uses the successful cocktail of romance, family crises and big business.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► fruit cocktail
1- He broke off and ordered a prawn cocktail.
- The first course was avocado with prawn cocktail dressing.
- The lobster cocktail was plentiful but a touch cotton-woolly in texture, and for no visible reason arrived on a plate.
- Their prawn cocktails arrived, together with a carafe of hearty red wine.
an alcoholic drink made from a mixture of different drinks2seafood/prawn/lobster cocktail small pieces of fish, prawns, or lobster served cold with a sauce and eaten as the first part of a meal3fruit cocktail a mixture of small pieces of fruit4a mixture of several things which is dangerous, unpleasant, confusing, or excitingcocktail of a lethal cocktail of painkillers and whisky The book contains a powerful cocktail of romance, family crises, and big business. → Molotov cocktail