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Where does the word "cordial" come from? It comes from Latin cor, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "cordial" come from? It comes from Latin cor, passing through Medieval Latin before entering English (1300s).
Cordial’s story begins in Latin: cor meant “heart.” The root of 'courage', 'accord' and 'record'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Medieval Latin as cordialis. Of the heart, heartfelt, from cor. It reached English by 1300s as cordial. Settled as the English word for something warm and friendly. Today, cordial means warm, friendly, and heartfelt in manner.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cor "heart", the root of 'courage', 'accord' and 'record'.
- Stage 2 · Medieval Latin · medieval cordialis "of the heart, heartfelt", of the heart, heartfelt, from cor.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s cordial "warm and friendly", settled as the English word for something warm and friendly.