cordelier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareHistorical/Literary/Technical
Quick answer
What does “cordelier” mean?
A Franciscan friar, especially one of the stricter Observant branch who wears a knotted cord as a belt.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Franciscan friar, especially one of the stricter Observant branch who wears a knotted cord as a belt.
A nickname or historical term for a Franciscan, often used in medieval and Renaissance contexts; by extension, a nickname for a member of the Cordeliers Club, a radical political group during the French Revolution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage, as the term is equally archaic and specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Historical, religious, scholarly.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, found almost exclusively in academic historical or religious studies texts.
Grammar
How to Use “cordelier” in a Sentence
He was a cordelier.The chronicle mentions a cordelier from Assisi.The Cordeliers Club met at the former convent.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cordelier” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- the cordelier tradition
American English
- Cordelier ideology
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, religious studies, or French Revolutionary history contexts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
A precise term within Catholic ecclesiastical history.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cordelier”
- Misspelling as 'cordeleer' or 'cordellier'.
- Using it as a general term for any monk.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare, historical term used almost exclusively in academic writing.
The Cordeliers Club, a revolutionary political group, took its name from the former Cordelier (Franciscan) convent in Paris where they held their meetings.
Historically, it was more specifically associated with the Observant branch of the Franciscans, distinguished by their knotted cord belt, though it was also used more generally.
In British English, it is typically /ˌkɔːdəˈlɪə/. In American English, it is commonly /ˌkɔrdlˈɪr/.
A Franciscan friar, especially one of the stricter Observant branch who wears a knotted cord as a belt.
Cordelier is usually historical/literary/technical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Cordelier: think of a friar tying his robe with a CORD.
Conceptual Metaphor
A label of identity (religious order) becomes a label for a political faction.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cordelier' primarily?