cocktail
1. cock.tail \'ka:k-.ta-l\ n [1cock + tail] 1: a horse with its tail docked 2: a horse not of pure breed 2. cocktail n [prob. fr. 1cock + tail] 1: an iced drink of distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients 2: an appetizer (as tomato juice) served as a first course at a meal 3. cocktail aj : designed for semiformal wear {~ dress}