ˌkȯ(r)d ə lˈye(ə)r noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Middle French, knotted rope worn by Cordeliers, from Cordelier, a kind of Franciscan friar, from cordel, diminutive of corde cord, rope — more at cord
heraldry : a knotted cord (as around the escutcheon of a widow)