1. Any of various mixed alcoholic drinks consisting usually of brandy, whiskey, vodka, or gin combined with fruit juices or other liquors and often served chilled.
2. Medicine.
   1. A mixture of drugs, usually in solution, for the diagnosis or treatment of a condition.
   2. A treatment regimen that includes a combination of several drugs, so that their combined effect is more potent than that of any of the drugs used individually.
3. An appetizer made by combining pieces of food, such as fruit or seafood: fruit cocktail; shrimp cocktail.

1. Of or relating to cocktails: a cocktail glass; a cocktail party.
2. Suitable for wear on semiformal occasions: a cocktail dress.

[Origin unknown.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.