Other forms: cordials
A cordial is a sweet syrup you dilute with water. Elderflower cordial, a glass of cordial, dilute the cordial.
As an adjective it means warm and friendly, and the two senses share a root: the Latin cor means heart, and a cordial was first a drink to strengthen the heart. Cordial relations between countries means polite rather than close.
1nouncordialA sweet syrup diluted with water.
“Mix a little elderflower cordial with cold water for the kids.”
2adjectivewarmWarm and friendly.
“The host gave us a cordial welcome and showed us to our rooms.”
cordial is a drink, or a manner.
Also accepted in games: squash
Medieval Latin cordialis means of the heart, from cor, a heart. A cordial was first a medicine to strengthen the heart.
Proto-Indo-European
*ḱerd-
Medieval Latin
cordiālis — of the heart
Old French
cordial
Middle English
cordial
English, today
cordial
Built from
Middle English cordial, from Old French cordial, from Medieval Latin cordiālis (“of the heart”), from cor (“heart”).
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA
Practised in Food & Drink