cocktail

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a mixture of different things, often ones that react together or cause a strong effect.

n. a combination of diverse elements, substances, or factors, often resulting in a potent or volatile effect.

“The patient was taking a cocktail of different medications to treat the infection.”

“The city's air quality was affected by a dangerous cocktail of industrial pollutants and heavy traffic exhaust during the heatwave.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a cold dish served at the start of a meal, usually containing seafood.

n. a cold appetizer typically consisting of pieces of seafood served in a piquant sauce.

“We ordered a prawn cocktail to share before our main course arrived.”

“The traditional shrimp cocktail remains a popular choice on the restaurant's starter menu, served with a spicy horseradish sauce.”

C2 · Proficiency Technology Technical

v. to mix different things together, especially fuel or chemicals.

v. to adulterate or modify a substance, such as fuel, by mixing in other components.

“The mechanics were warned not to cocktail the fuel with cheaper additives.”

“The investigation revealed that the supplier had been cocktailing the aviation spirit with lower-grade kerosene to increase profit margins.”