The Only Use of
cordial
in
A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens
- He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned them cordially.†
p. 8.8cordially = in a friendly way
Definitions:
-
(1)
(cordial as in: a cordial reception) friendly -- usually warm and heartfelt, but possibly only polite
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) Less commonly, "cordial" can refer to a sweet drink. The drink can be non-alcoholic or alcoholic depending upon region and context.