cordovan
1 of 2adjective
cor·do·van ˈkȯr-də-vən 
1
capitalized : of or relating to Córdoba and especially Córdoba, Spain
2
: made of cordovan leather
cordovan
2 of 2noun
1
: a soft fine-grained colored leather
2
: dense nonporous leather tanned from the inner layer of horsehide
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Boskovich, Esquire, 20 Jan. 2017 Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 23 Jan. 2017 But beyond that, shell cordovan is a near-perfect combination of beauty and brawn. Ben Boskovich, Esquire, 20 Jan. 2017 His primary focus is on traditional men’s shoes like moccasin loafers, derby boots, and German goisers utilizing exotic leathers like polished stingray, alligator, cordovan, military-grade textiles, and heavy canvases for his popular sneakers. Katie Kiefner, Vogue, 31 July 2017 The Ressence Type 1H also comes with three different strap options: gray calfskin, natural shell cordovan, and black woven nylon with a velcro closure. Stephen Watson, Esquire, 6 Apr. 2017
Adjective
Thursday Boots just released a limited shell cordovan version of its signature Vanguard boot in two colors, whiskey and burgundy. Ben Boskovich, Esquire, 20 Jan. 2017 Noun
Kellyanne Conway went sailing off into a truthless land into which not even Richard Nixon ever set down his polished cordovans. Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, 23 Jan. 2017 But beyond that, shell cordovan is a near-perfect combination of beauty and brawn. Ben Boskovich, Esquire, 20 Jan. 2017 His primary focus is on traditional men’s shoes like moccasin loafers, derby boots, and German goisers utilizing exotic leathers like polished stingray, alligator, cordovan, military-grade textiles, and heavy canvases for his popular sneakers. Katie Kiefner, Vogue, 31 July 2017 The Ressence Type 1H also comes with three different strap options: gray calfskin, natural shell cordovan, and black woven nylon with a velcro closure. Stephen Watson, Esquire, 6 Apr. 2017 Word History
Etymology
Adjective
in sense 1 from Córdova, Córdoba + -an entry 2; in sense 2 attributive use of cordovan entry 2
Noun
borrowed from 16th-century Spanish cordován (now usually cordobán), from Córdova, Córdoba córdoba, city in Spain where such leather was produced + -án, Mozarabic variant of -ano -an entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1
cordovan
noun
as in horsehide
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- horsehide
- calfskin
- doeskin
- goatskin
- morocco
- deerskin
- sharkskin
- lambskin
- snakeskin
- chamois
- sheepskin
- antelope
- pigskin
- alligator
- kidskin
- suede
- coat
- seal
- crocodile
- ostrich
- cowhide
- buckskin
- kid
- fleece
- pelt
- cabretta
- leather
- capeskin
- nubuck
- patent leather
- fur
- hide
- skin