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cordovan

cordovan

7.7
A deep red color with a purple tone often used for leather
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɔrdəvən/
translation icon : cordobán
  • The bag was crafted from cordovan leather, giving it a distinctive deep purplish-red color that stood out.
  • Cordovan loafers

Examples

  • Paramedics #2 and #3 are wearing blue jackets, blue pants, and cordovan cushion-soled shoes.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • He was wearing a snappy handmade suit by Vuitton, gleaming Cordovan leather shoes, and prescription Ray-Bans.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • As long as it's either black or cordovan, it's okay.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I knew that the cordovan man and his friend were under a great misapprehension, certain that I was crazy and dangerous.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Cordovan loafers.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The thing people don't understand about Aldens, particularly the cordovan Aldens, is that all that money buys you a shoe that will last 20 years or more with care—and that will look *great* the whole time.

    Blog text (25)
  • He admired the rich hue of the cordovan leather on his new shoes, which perfectly complemented his outfit.

  • She chose a cordovan leather jacket for its luxurious look and elegant shine, making it a timeless addition to her wardrobe.

Synonyms

crimson
vscordovan
58 3.4

A deep red color with a little purple

is darker and used especially for leather goods
maroon
vscordovan
18 3.6

A dark reddish brown color

is less brown and more consistently rich and purplish
deep red
vscordovan
6 2.7

A dark, strong red colour that looks rich

contains a purplish richness and is favoured for leather items
oxblood
vscordovan
1 5.6

A very dark red color like red wine

is more purplish and less purely brownish than this shade
claret
vscordovan
  • UK
1 7.4

A dark purple-red colour like red wine

is richer in tone and mainly used for leather items
wine-colored
vscordovan
  • US
1 3.0

A deep red color like red wine

is more purplish and often chosen for leather finishes
wine-red
vscordovan
1 3.4

A dark red color like red wine

shifts toward a purplish leather shade rather than plain wine red
crimson-magenta
vscordovan
7.4

A deep red with a purple tint

leans more toward a rich leather color rather than bright magenta
crimson-purple
vscordovan
5.8

A deep purple color mixed with red

is more leather‑oriented and slightly less purple in shade
purplish red
vscordovan
3.2

A red color with a little purple in it

is a specific rich leather tone rather than a general purple red
vinaceous
vscordovan
9.9

A dark red color like red wine

is a richer, more purplish tone used particularly for leather

How Dark

cordovan
7.7
burgundy
21 4.9
red
51 1.0

Surface Forms

cordovan positive

Morphology

cordovan = Cordoba (opaque) = Cordoba + an

Formed from the place name Córdoba + -an; the colour sense is conventionalized and not transparently deducible from the components by most learners.

Etymology

The word cordovan comes from the same leather made in Córdoba, which was often dyed a 'deep purplish-red'. That's why cordovan is also used to describe that rich, dark red color on leather and other items.