Cordovans

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of leather originally made from the skins of goats in the city of Cordova, characterized by its durability and fine quality
2. Leather made from goatskin, often used for high-quality shoes and accessories, noted for its exceptional strength and elegance
3. A fine, soft leather that originates from Cordova, celebrated for its versatility in fashion and craftsmanship

Etymology: Cordovan takes its name from Córdoba, the Andalusian city in Spain, which was once famous for its goatskin leather. The Spanish word "cordobán" gave English the term, and the leather itself was prized across Europe long before the name settled into English. Its path into English runs through Spanish, not directly from the city's Latin or Arabic past, which is why the name keeps the Spanish shape of the city. The word is a doublet of "cordwain," an older English word for the same kind of leather. Both descend from the same Spanish source, but cordwain arrived earlier and took a different route, so English ended up with two forms of one word. Cordwain also gave rise to "cordwainer," a maker of shoes from this leather. The plural "cordovans" is simply the plural of "cordovan," used when referring to several pieces or types of this leather or shoes made from it.