n. 1 a usu. alcoholic drink made by mixing various spirits, fruit juices, etc. 2 a dish of mixed ingredients (fruit cocktail; shellfish cocktail). 3 any hybrid mixture. cocktail dress a usu. short evening dress suitable for wearing at a drinks party. cocktail stick a small pointed stick for serving an olive, cherry, small sausage, etc.
[ orig. unkn.: cf. earlier sense 'docked horse' f. COCK(1): the connection is unclear ]