a. and sb. Also (6 corduban), 7 cordovant, 7–8 -devan, -divan, -devant, -divant, (cordiaunt). [a. Sp. cordován (now cordobán) ‘cordouan or Spanish leather’ (Minsheu, 1599); cordováno adj., of Cordova. The same word as CORDWAIN, but adopted directly from Sp. at a later date. Originally, and still dialectally, cordova·n; the forms in -ant appear to be owing to false analogy; perh. to association with van-, avan-, as weakened form of AVANT-.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Cordova; made of the leather there manufactured.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Taperados, the inside of a cordouan skin turned outwards.
1618. Fletcher, Loyal Subj., IV. vii. You musk-cat, Cordevan-skin!
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, III. iii. 52. I … was almost Poison’d with a pair of Cordivant Gloves he wears.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, iv. His walking boots were of cordovan leather.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xlii. She removed the cordovan leather from the grand piano.
B. sb. 1. One who belongs to Cordova (L. Corduba).
1599. Bp. Hall, Sat., I. iii. 29. The famous Corduban.
2. Cordovan leather; = CORDWAIN.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Faithf. Sheph., I. i. Hanging scrip of finest cordevan.
1651. Ogilby, Æsop (1665), 114. In Cordovant at leisure walk the Street.
1708. Motteux, Rabelais, IV. vi. (1737), 23. Of their Skins the best Cordivant will be made.
1811. A. Scott, Poems, Rural Content, iv. But now they’re flung by, an’ I’ve bought cordovan.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, III. 96. In … leather whose grain is tender, as cordovan, which is manufactured from horse-hides.
† 3. A skin of this leather. Obs.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), II. Vote poem, No Roman perfumes, Buffs or Cordovans.
1727. W. Mather, Yng. Man’s Comp., 407. Goat-Skins undrest, Cordevants.
1750. Beawes, Lex Mercat. (1752), 734. Red and yellow Cordouans.
