cordwain arch.
(ˈkɔːdweɪn)
Forms: 4–6 cordewan(e, -wayn(e, -weyne, (corden), 5 cordwane, -uane, (corwen), 6 cordwayne, -uain, -waine, -iwin, cordowan, 5– cordwain. For later forms see cordovan.
[ME. corduan(e, cordewan(e, a. OF. cordoan, -ouan, -ewan = Pr. cordoan, It. cordovano, OSp. cordovan, prop. adj. ‘of Cordova’, f. Sp. Cordova, Cordoba, Pr. Cordoa, F. Cordoue:—L. Corduba a town of Spain, where this leather was made. (The word has also passed into the other Teutonic langs.; Du. korduaan formerly kordewaen (Kilian), Ger., Da. corduan.)]
Spanish leather made originally at Cordova, of goat-skins tanned and dressed, but afterwards frequently of split horse-hides; = cordovan. Much used for shoes, etc. by the higher classes during the Middle Ages.
| [1128 Ordericus Vitalis Hist. Eccl. II. 453 Inde subtolares corduanos Hugo prior ei dedit.] c 1380 Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 126 Bischopes wole kepe here feet ful cleene wiþ scarlett and cordewane. c 1386 Chaucer Sir Thopas 21 His schoon of cordewane [v.r. -wayn, -wayne, -weyne]. a 1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 358 Newe sadeles, corden oþer tray. a 1400 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 241 Off ffyne cordewan a goodly peyre of long pekyd schon. 14.. Metr. Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 628/19 Incrustas allutam, gl. clowtyst corduane. 1483 Cath. Angl. 76 A Cordewayn [MS. A Corwen], aluta. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 478 Me thinketh thy vysage is couered ouer w{supt} blacke cordewan. 1593 Drayton Eclogues iv. 177 His Cockers were of Cordiwin, His Hood of Miniveere. 1814 Cary Dante xx. 117 Who now were willing he had tended still The thread and cordwain. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet let. xii, Shoes of Spanish cordwain fastened with silver buckles. |