cordwainer

American  

[kawrd-wey-ner] / ˈkɔrd weɪ nər /

noun

Archaic.

1. a person who makes shoes from cordovan leather.

2. shoemaker; cobbler.

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cordwainer British  

/ ˈkɔːdˌweɪnə /

noun

1. archaic a shoemaker or worker in cordovan leather

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cordwainery
  noun

Etymology

Origin of cordwainer

1150–1200; Middle English cordewaner < Old French cordewan ( i ) er. See cordwain, -er ²

Example Sentences

In Europe, she said, she had studied and performed ballet and actually aspired to be a cordwainer, because she loved the smell of leather and considered fine shoes to be works of art.

From New York Times • May 11, 2015

In 1429, when Louis was five years old, the fortunes of his father King Charles VII fell so low that a cordwainer refused to sell him a pair of shoes on credit.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sirrah, if more to me thou talkest of dogs, Horses, or aught that to thy craft belongs, Thou mayst go hang for me!—A cordwainer Go fetch me straight—the choicest in the town.

From The Love-chase by Morley, Henry

In the reign of Richard II., "every cordwainer that shod any man or woman on Sunday was to pay thirty shillings."

From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter

"Both equally necessary members of the body corporate," said Henry, whose father had been a cordwainer.

From The Fair Maid of Perth Or, St. Valentine's Day by Scott, Walter, Sir