arch. 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.)]

1

  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.

2

[1128.  Ordericus Vitalis, Hist. Eccl. II. 453. Inde subtolares corduanos Hugo prior ei dedit.]

3

c. 1380.  Antecrist, in Todd, 3 Treat. Wyclif, 126. Bischopes wole kepe here feet ful cleene wiþ scarlett and cordewane.

4

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Sir Thopas, 21. His schoon of cordewane [v.r. -wayn, -wayne, -weyne].

5

a. 1400.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 358. Newe sadeles, corden oþer tray.

6

a. 1400.  Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.), 241. Off ffyne cordewan a goodly peyre of long pekyd schon.

7

14[?].  Metr. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 628/19. Incrustas allutam, gl. clowtyst corduane.

8

1483.  Cath. Angl., 76. A Cordewayn [MS. A Corwen], aluta.

9

c. 1530.  Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814), 478. Me thinketh thy vysage is couered ouer wt blacke cordewan.

10

1593.  Drayton, Eclogues, iv. 177. His Cockers were of Cordiwin, His Hood of Miniveere.

11

1814.  Cary, Dante, xx. 117. Who now were willing he had tended still The thread and cordwain.

12

1824.  Scott, Redgauntlet, let. xii. Shoes of Spanish cordwain fastened with silver buckles.

13