Cordovan

[ kawr-duh-vuhn ]

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Córdoba, Spain.
2. (lowercase) a soft, smooth leather originally made at Córdoba of goatskin but later made also of split horsehide, pigskin, etc.

adjective

1. of Córdoba, Spain.
2. (lowercase) designating or made of cordovan.

cordovan

¹

/ ˈkɔːdəvən /

noun

1. a fine leather now made principally from horsehide, isolated from the skin layers above and below it and tanned

Cordovan

²

/ ˈkɔːdəvən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Córdoba, Spain

adjective

1. of or relating to Córdoba, Spain

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cordovan¹

First recorded in 1585–95; Cordov(a) + -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cordovan¹

C16: from Spanish cordobán (n), from cordobán (adj) of Córdoba ¹

Example Sentences

He zipped past the gawking mother and tired travelers and nearly across the elegant cordovan shoe-tips of a tall bearded man.

From The Daily Beast

Cordiwin, i. 318, originally Spanish or Cordovan leather, afterwards commoner leather.

From Project Gutenberg

The first room, serving as withdrawing room, was hung with stamped Cordovan leather.

From Project Gutenberg

Maimun and his family went into exile with the great majority of the Cordovan congregation.

From Project Gutenberg

There was the high backed chair by the table with its covering of Cordovan leather, and he could imagine the father sitting there.

From Project Gutenberg

Much of the Cordovan leather is still very fresh in appearance, although several centuries old.

From Project Gutenberg