[f. CORD sb.1 9.] Wood stacked in ‘cords’; wood for fuel cut in lengths (usually) of 4 feet. Also attrib. Now chiefly in America.

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1638–9.  N. Riding Records, IV. 109. A man presented for stealing Cord wood.

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1763.  Brit. Mag., IV. 543/2. (North America) A strong breast-work of cord-wood.

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1878.  Mrs. Stowe, Poganuc P., ix. 73. Zeph’s sled was … loaded up with cord-wood.

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1887.  Kentish Gloss., Cord-wood, a pile of wood, such as split-up roots and trunks of trees stacked for fuel.

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