cordial

Etymology

From Middle English cordial, from Old French cordial, from Medieval Latin cordiālis (“of the heart”), from cor (“heart”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkɔː.dɪ.əl/, /ˈkɔː.dʒəl/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkɔɹ.dɪ.əl/, /ˈkɔɹ.dʒəl/, /ˈkɔɹ.djəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

cordial (comparative more cordial, superlative most cordial)

1. Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.
   • 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1859, Thomas Keightley (editor), The Poems of John Milton, Volume 1, page 381,

     He, on his side / Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured.

   • 1885, George Washington Schuyler, Colonial New York: Philip Schuyler and His Family, C. Scribner's Sons,

     The relations between the Earl of Bellomont and Colonel Schuyler were formal, but not cordial from the first.

2. Said of someone radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.
   • 1869, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, Lorna Doone, Chapter 66,

     The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity.

3. (rare) Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.
   • 1634, John Milton, Comus, 1853, John Mitford (editor), The Poetical Works of John Milton, Volume 3, page 106,

     And first behold this cordial julep here / That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, / With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd.

4. (obsolete) Proceeding from the heart.
   • 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1957, Merritt Yerkes Hughes (editor), Complete Poems and Major Prose, page 373,

     Who stooping op'n'd my left side, and took / From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warm, / And Life-blood streaming fresh;

Noun

cordial (plural cordials)

1. (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) A concentrated noncarbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.
2. (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) An individual serving of such a diluted drink.
3. A pleasant-tasting medicine.
4. A liqueur prepared using the infusion process.
   • 1728, John Gay, The Beggar's Opera, Act III, Scene 1, in 1828, British Theatre, Comprising Tragedies, Comedies, Operas, and Farces, 827,

     Lucy. But, miss Polly—in the way of friendship, will you give me leave to propose a glass of cordial to you ?

     Polly. Strong waters are apt to give me the headache.—I hope, madam, you will excuse me?

   • 1908, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, L. C. Page & Co.

     [Marilla] had put the bottle of raspberry cordial down in the cellar instead of in the closet [...].

5. A candy (or bonbon) usually made of milk chocolate, filled with small fruits (often maraschino cherries) and syrup or fondant.

Anagrams

• Dicarlo

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin cordiālis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kɔʁ.djal/

• cordial

  (file)

Adjective

cordial (feminine singular cordiale, masculine plural cordiaux, feminine plural cordiales)

1. (archaic) stimulating the heart; tonic
2. coming from the heart; sincere
3. amiable

   Synonyms: chaleureux, aimable, sympathique

Noun

cordial m (plural cordiaux)

1. (medicine, obsolete) stimulant
2. cordial

Further reading

• “cordial” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Adjective

cordial m, f (plural cordiais, comparable)

1. cordial (sincere; affectionate)

Adjective

cordial

1. sincere
2. cordial

Adjective

cordial (plural cordiales)

1. cordial