Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A favorite drink of the eighteenth century, made by flavoring a cask of ale with raisins, dates, nutmeg, spice, and the broth or jelly of a fowl, adding yeast, and allowing the whole to ferment anew.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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It is much more likely that the word is a corruption of the phrase cock-ale, a noisome brew used by handlers as far back as the reign of Henry VIII to strengthen and stimulate a gamecock when he was being conditioned for battle.
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This "cock-ale" contained soft gruel, stale beer, port wine, chopped oysters, and other assorted ingredients which were supposed to make the rooster a raging tornado in the pit.
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"cock-ale," a variety of drinks somehow associated with cockfighting which either were given to the participants or swallowed by their admirers, and mixing the residue of several kegs or bottles (the "cock-tailings") into a cheap swill sold by saloon keepers.
VQR 2009
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