cola

views updated Jun 11 2018

co·la / ˈkōlə/ • n. 1. a brown carbonated drink that is flavored with an extract of cola nuts, or with a similar flavoring. 2. (also kola) a small evergreen African tree (genus Cola, family Sterculiaceae) that is cultivated in the tropics for its seeds (cola nuts).

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

Cola

views updated May 11 2018

Cola (family Sterculiaceae) A genus of small trees, several species of which provide kola nuts which contain much caffeine and are widely traded in W. Africa as a stimulant to combat fatigue. There are 125 species, occurring in Africa.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

COLA

views updated May 14 2018

COLA • abbr. cost-of-living adjustment, an increase made to wages or Social Security benefits to keep them in line with inflation.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

COLA

views updated Jun 11 2018

COLA (ˈkəʊlə) (USA) cost of living adjustment (clause in employment contracts)

The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH