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cordovan

cordovan

1 9.6
A smooth, very strong leather made from horse leather used for shoes and wallets
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔrdəvən/
translation icon : cordobán
  • Tan Cordovan loafers.
  • Cordovan loafers
  • cordovan leather
  • cordovan shoes

Examples

  • Florsheim cordovan.

  • With that kind of poll results on the slacks, he shoved hangers around, located a pair of presentable jeans, and finished off this exercise in hesitant elegance with gray socks and the old reliable cordovan loafers.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • On his feet were scuffed cordovan shoes.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • - I mean, I wear an eight-and-a-half C. cordovan Florsheim shoe.

  • The great man had left them for shining, but they were his brand-new cordovans, which did not require shining.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I dragged a cot to the stove and lay down, still wearing my wool overcoat, cashmere blazer, charcoal flannels, school tie, gloves, and cordovan loafers.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • When Janice finished undressing him, Matt stood up and put on the cordovan penny loafers, the khaki slacks, the blue shirt with the button-down collar, and the London Fog overcoat.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • He chose a pair of cordovan shoes for his job interview, appreciating their rich color and quality.

  • The artisan displayed a collection of bags made from cordovan leather, highlighting their durability and elegance.

  • In the high-end shoe store, the cordovan leather boots caught the eye of every passerby.

Synonyms

leather
vscordovan
509 1.0

The skin of an animal made smooth and used to make items like shoes and bags

is a specific high quality durable hide with a historic origin
alligator
vscordovan
14 6.0

Leather from the skin of a large reptile used to make shoes and bags

is also luxury but comes from a plain animal hide and different texture
patent leather
vscordovan
12 4.0

A hard shiny material made from animal skin used for shoes and bags

is less glossy and focuses on durable, traditional tanning and finish methods
calfskin
vscordovan
4 6.0

Leather from the skin of a young calf that is smooth and strong

is similar in quality but differs by traditional animal source and finish
deerskin
vscordovan
3 6.1

Soft, strong leather from deer used for clothes like gloves or jackets

is firmer and more durable with a distinct traditional production process
calf
vscordovan
3 7.2

Soft leather made from the skin of a young cow

shares softness but differs in original hide type and historic processing
horsehide
vscordovan
2 7.7

Strong leather from a horse's skin used for things like boots and jackets

is the traditional processed form originating from that same animal hide
pigskin
vscordovan
2 5.6

Leather that comes from a pig's skin

is more refined and historically treated for high-end footwear and goods
shoe leather
vscordovan
1 2.1

Skin from an animal that is made into material for shoes

is a named high quality leather with a specific origin and processing
cowhide
vscordovan
1 3.2

Leather made from cow skin used for things like shoes or furniture

is more exclusive, traditionally from a different animal and finer processing
cowskin
vscordovan
4.1

Leather made from a cow's skin

is more specialized and valued for its unique traditional finish
bullhide
vscordovan
7.2

Leather from a bull's skin that is very strong and long lasting

offers durability too but emphasizes historic luxury and specific finishing methods
chèvre
vscordovan
  • Specialized
9.6

Soft leather made from goat skin for small items

is larger scale and treated for long lasting shoe quality
saffian
vscordovan
9.9

A fine soft leather from goatskin used for book covers and wallets

is similar in luxury but differs by traditional origin and durability focus
mocha
vscordovan
  • Archaic
8.7

Soft leather made from goat skin used for gloves and fine items

is smoother and more durable rather than napped and soft finished
ooze leather
vscordovan
9.9

A very soft material made from the skin of a young cow with a suede inner surface

is firmer and polished rather than left soft and suede like
roan
vscordovan
  • Archaic
9.9

Soft leather from sheep dyed and treated for book covers

is traditionally used for durable footwear and has a different finish and source

How Durable

cordovan
1 9.6
leather
509 1.0
fabric
252 1.0

Surface Forms

cordovan singular
cordovans plural

Morphology

cordovan = Cordoba (opaque) = Cordoba + an

Derived from the place name Córdoba plus the adjectival suffix -an; the modern senses (a specific durable leather and a particular deep reddish colour) are specialized and not directly inferable by learners from the place name.

Etymology

The word cordovan comes from the Spanish city Córdoba, where craftsmen made a very strong leather from 'horsehide'. So cordovan now means that high-quality, durable leather used for shoes and leather goods.