cocktail

Pronunciation: /ˈkɑk.teɪl/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a short mixed drink
  2. noun an appetizer served as a first course at a meal

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.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
mixed drink
Narrower (hyponyms)
stinger, daiquiri, planter's punch, manhattan, pink lady, bullshot

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