King James Bible Dictionary

Frequently used in its proper sense, for fastening a tent (Exodus 35:18; 39:40), yoking animals to a cart (Isaiah 5:18), binding prisoners (Judges 15:13; Psalms 2:3; 129:4), and measuring ground (2 Samuel 8:2; Psalms 78:55). Figuratively, death is spoken of as the giving way of the tent-cord (Job 4:21. "Is not their tent-cord plucked up?" R.V.). To gird one's self with a cord was a token of sorrow and humiliation. To stretch a line over a city meant to level it with the ground (Lamentations 2:8). The "cords of sin" are the consequences or fruits of sin (Proverbs 5:22). A "threefold cord" is a symbol of union (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The "cords of a man" (Hosea 11:4) means that men employ, in inducing each other, methods such as are suitable to men, and not "cords" such as oxen are led by. Isaiah (5:18) says, "Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope." This verse is thus given in the Chaldee paraphrase: "Woe to those who begin to sin by little and little, drawing sin by cords of vanity: these sins grow and increase till they are strong and are like a cart rope." This may be the true meaning. The wicked at first draw sin with a slender cord; but by-and-by their sins increase, and they are drawn after them by a cart rope. Henderson in his commentary says: "The meaning is that the persons described were not satisfied with ordinary modes of provoking the Deity, and the consequent ordinary approach of his vengeance, but, as it were, yoked themselves in the harness of iniquity, and, putting forth all their strength, drew down upon themselves, with accelerated speed, the load of punishment which their sins deserved."

Ancient uses of:

In casting lots
Micah 2:5

Fastening tents
Exodus 35:18; Exodus 39:40; Isaiah 54:2

Leading or binding animals
Psalms 118:27; Hosea 11:4

Hitching to cart or plough
Job 39:10

Binding prisoners
Judges 15:13

Measuring ground
2 Samuel 8:2; Joshua 17:14; Psalms 78:55; Amos 7:17; Zech 2:1

Worn on the head as a sign of submission
1 Kings 20:31

Figurative:

Of spiritual blessings
Psalms 16:6

Of sin
Proverbs 5:22

Of life
Ecclesiastes 12:6

Of friendship
Ecclesiastes 4:12; Hosea 11:4

Symbolic uses of:

Token in mourning
1 Kings 20:31-33; Job 36:8

Signifying an inheritance
Joshua 17:14

The materials of which cord was made varied according to the strength required; the strongest rope was probably made of strips of camel hide, as still used by the Bedouins. The finer sorts were made of flax, (Isaiah 19:9) and probably of reeds and rushes. In the New Testament the term is applied to the whip which our Saviour made, (John 2:15) and to the ropes of a ship. (Acts 27:32)

CORD, noun [Latin Gr. According to the Welsh, this word signifies a twist, from cor, the root of chorus.]

1. A string, or small rope, composed of several strands twisted together. Rahab let down the spies by a cord through the window. Joshua 2:15.

2. A quantity of wood, or other material, originally measured with a cord or line. The cord is a pile containing 128 cubic feet; or a pile eight feet long, four feet high, and four feet broad.

3. In scripture, the cords of the wicked are the snares with which they catch the unwary. Psalms 129:4.

The cords of sin are bad habits, or the consequences of sin. Proverbs 5:22.

The cords of a man are the fair, gentle or natural means of alluring men to obedience. Hosea 11.

The cords of vanity are worldly vanities and pleasures, profit or preferment; or vain and deceitful arguments and pretenses, which draw men to sin. Isaiah 5:18.

To stretch a line or cord about a city, is to level it, or utterly to destroy it. Lamentations 2:1.

The cords of a tent denote stability. To loosen or break the cords, is to weaken or destroy; to lengthen the cords, is to enlarge. Job 30:11. Isaiah 5:184. Jeremiah 10:20.

CORD, verb transitive

1. To bind with a cord or rope; to fasten with cords.

2. To pile wood or other material for measurement and sale by the cord

CORDAGE, noun All sorts of cords or ropes, used in the running rigging of a ship, or kept in reserve to supply the place of that which may be rendered unserviceable. In a more general sense, the word includes all ropes and lines used on board of ships.

CORDATE, CORDATED, adjective [Latin , with a different signification, from cor, the heart.] Having the form of a heart; heart-shaped; a term used by naturalists; as a cordate leaf in botany, resembling the longitudinal section of the heart. Hence, cordate-oblong, heart-shaped lengthened; cordate-lanceolate, heart-shaped, gradually tapering towards each extremity, like the head of a lance; cordate-sagittate, heart-shaped, but resembling the head of an arrow.

CORDATE, CORDATED adjective [Latin , with a different signification, from cor, the heart.] Having the form of a heart; heart-shaped; a term used by naturalists; as a cordate leaf in botany, resembling the longitudinal section of the heart. Hence, cordate-oblong, heart-shaped lengthened; cordate-lanceolate, heart-shaped, gradually tapering towards each extremity, like the head of a lance; cordate-sagittate, heart-shaped, but resembling the head of an arrow.

CORDATELY, adverb In a cordate form.

CORDED, participle passive

1. Bound or fastened with cords.

2. Piled in a form for measurement by the cord.

3. Made of cords; furnished with cords.

4. In heraldry, a cross corded is one wound with cords, or made of two pieces of wood.

CORDELIER, noun A Franciscan friar; one of the order of religious founded by St. Francis; a gray friar. The cordeliers wear a thick gray cloth, a little cowl, a chaperon, and a cloke, with a girdle of rope or cord, tied with three knots.

CORDIAL, adjective [Latin , the heart.]

1. Proceeding from the heart; hearty; sincere; not hypocritical; warm; affectionate.

With looks of cordial love.

We give our friends a cordial reception.

2. Reviving the spirits; cheering; invigorating; giving strength or spirits; as cordial waters.

CORDIAL, noun

1. In medicine, that which suddenly excites the system, and increases the action of the heart or circulation when languid; any medicine which increases strength, raises the spirits, and gives life and cheerfulness to a person when weak and depressed.

2. Any thing that comforts, gladdens and exhilarates; as, good news is a cordial to the mind.

CORDIALITY, noun

1. Relation to the heart. [Not used.]

2. Sincerity; freedom from hypocrisy; sincere affection and kindness.

Our friends were received with cordiality

CORDIALLY, adverb Heartily; sincerely; without hypocrisy; with real affection.

The Christian cordially receives the doctrines of grace.

CORDIERITE, noun The mineral called otherwise iolite and dichroite.

CORDIFORM, adjective [Latin , the heart, and form.] Heart-shaped; having the form of the human heart.

CORDINER, noun [Not used. See Cordwainer.]

CORDON, noun [See Cord.]

1. In fortification, a row of stones jutting before the rampart, and the basis of the parapet; or a row of stones between the wall of a fortress which lies aslope, and the parapet which is perpendicular; serving as an ornament, and used only in fortifications of stone-work.

2. In military language, a line or series of military posts; as a cordon of troops.

CORDOVAN, noun Spanish leather.

CORDUROY, noun A thick cotton stuffribbed.

CORDWAIN, noun Spanish leather; goatskin tanned and dressed.

CORDWAINER, noun [from cordwain.] A shoemaker. This word was formerly written cordiners. It is evidently from the French cordouan, cordouannier; properly, a worker in cordwain, or cordovan leather.

CORDWOOD, noun Wood cut and piled for sale by the cord, in distinction from long wood; properly, wood cut to the length of four feet; bu in this respect, the practice is not uniform. In Scotland, cord-wood is wood conveyed to market on board of vessels, in opposition to that which is floated.