cordial

adj

1. Hearty; sincere; warm; affectionate.

   “I have a cordial dislike for arachnids.”

   “He, on his side / Leaning half raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured.”

   “The relations between the Earl of Bellomont and Colonel Schuyler were formal, but not cordial from the first.”

   “Joshua maintained his serious demeanour when Wilder took the microphone - his gaze not leaving the Alabama fighter who was cordial and respectful in return.”

2. Radiating warmth and friendliness; genial.

   “The sight of London warmed my heart with various emotions, such as a cordial man must draw from the heart of all humanity.”

   “Since then, though, discussions have become more collaborative and cordial.”

3. (rare)Tending to revive, cheer, or invigorate; giving strength or spirits.

   “I vvas baptized in thy Cordiall vvater, againſt Original ſinne, and I haue drunke of thy Cordiall Blood, for my recouerie, from actuall, and habituall ſinne, in the other Sacrament.”

   “And first behold this cordial julep here / That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, / With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd.”

4. (obsolete)Proceeding from the heart.

   “Who stooping op'n'd my left side, and took / From thence a Rib with cordial spirits warm, / And Life-blood streaming fresh;”

noun

1. (Australia, New-Zealand, UK)A concentrated non-carbonated soft drink which is diluted with water before drinking.

   “Both supplement and taste-matched placebo were consumed in 70 ml of fruit cordial and 150 ml of water, which were drunk within a 5-min period.”

2. (Australia, New-Zealand, UK)An individual serving of such a diluted drink.
3. A pleasant-tasting medicine.
4. A liqueur prepared using the infusion process.

   “1728, John Gay, The Beggar's Opera, Act III, Scene 1, in 1828, British Theatre, Comprising Tragedies, Comedies, Operas, and Farces, 827, Lucy. But, miss Polly—in the way of friendship, will you give me leave to propose a glass of cordial to you ? Polly. Strong waters are apt to give me the headache.—I hope, madam, you will excuse me?”

   “[Marilla] had put the bottle of raspberry cordial down in the cellar instead of in the closet [...].”

5. A candy (or bonbon) usually made of milk chocolate, filled with small fruits (often maraschino cherries) and syrup or fondant.
6. Anything that revives or comforts, a stimulant.

   “Never had Fanny more wanted a cordial. Never had she felt such a one as this letter contained.”