cordial [ME] The Latin word cordis meant ‘to do with the heart’, and this is the source and original meaning of cordial. It was not long before the adjective was being used to describe drinks as ‘comforting’ or ‘stimulating the heart’, and the core ‘heart’ meaning came to be applied to people too, in connection with actions or behaviour that seemed sincere and heartfelt—acting ‘from the heart’. The root, Latin cor ‘heart’, is the source of many words, including *chord, discord [ME], record [ME], from recorderi ‘to learn by heart, call to mind’, and courage [ME]. *Heart itself came from the same ancient root.