[f. first element of Cornwall (OE. Cornweallas = Corn-Welsh) + -ISH.
The native equivalent was Kernûak, Kernewec, deriv. of Kernóu, Pou Kernów (= pagus Cornubiæ) Llwyd, Cernow, Kernow (Williams), Welsh Cernyw, Cornwall: cf. Breton Kernéô, Kerné, the district of Cornouailles in Armorica. These forms point to a proto-Celtic *Cornovjo-s, *Cornovja: cf. med.L. Cornubia, whence Cornu·bian, Cornu·bic = Cornish. Ptolemy has Κορναούιοι, Roman sources Cornovii, as names of British tribes, though not in Cornwall. Prob. derived from Celtic corn, cornu, ‘horn,’ in sense of projecting corner or headland.]
Of or belonging to Cornwall: a. Applied to the people and language; hence Cornishman. b. In the names of various animals, plants, natural products, etc., found in Cornwall, as Cornish chough (see CHOUGH 2 a), crow, daw, C. heath, C. moneywort, etc.; also Cornish boiler, the cylindrical flue-boiler invented by Smeaton; Cornish clay, a clay obtained from the decomposition of Cornish granite, used in making earthenware; C. diamond, a variety of quartz found in Cornwall; a crystal of this quartz; C. engine, a form of single-acting condensing steam-engine, used for pumping up water, first used in Cornwall: C. gilliflower, a variety of apple; C. hug (in Wrestling), see HUG sb.; C. pump, a pump worked by a Cornish engine; Cornish stone, (a) = Cornish diamond; (b) Cornish granite in a state of partial decomposition, ground and used with clay in the manufacture of earthenware.
a. 1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl., i. (1870), 122. The apendex … treatinge of Cornewall and Cornyshe men. Ibid., 123. In Cornwall is two speches: the one is naughty Englyshe, and the other is Cornyshe speche. Ibid. No Cornysheman dothe nomber aboue xxx.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, I. (1769), 19. The Cornish people gaue themselues principally … to the seeking of Tynne. Ibid., 55. Cornish names hold an affinity with the Welsh.
1880. T. Q. Couch, E. Cornwall Gloss., Introd. 74. The Cornishman, a Penzance weekly paper.
b. 1840–56. S. C. Brees, Gloss. Civil Engin., s.v. Boiler, Boilers … 1st, globular; 2ndly, cylindrical … as the Cornish *boiler.
1883. Fisheries Exhib. Catal. (ed. 4), 112. A large preserved Specimen of Cornish *Brown Trout (Salmo fario).
1552. Huloet, Cornyshe *chowghe or crowe, Pyracorax.
1829. S. Shaw, Hist. Staffordsh. Potteries, 160. For the Finest Pottery there is also used a certain proportion of Cornish or China *Clay.
1866. E. Meteyard, Life Wedgewood, 423. The opposition of the Potters to Champion’s Bill … left open … the free use of Cornish stone and clay.
c. 1575. Parl. Byrdes, 145, in Hazl., E. P. P., II. 174. Than sayde the Cornyssh *daw.
1591. Nashe, in Arb., Garner, I. 501 (D.). If one wear Cornish *diamonds on his toes.
1748. De Foe’s Tour Gt. Brit. (1871), II. 5 (D.). Hengeston Hill, which produces a great plenty of Cornish diamonds.
1884. F. J. Britten, Watch & Clockm., 215. Rock crystal … also known as … ‘Cornish’ or ‘Irish’ diamond.
1840–56. S. C. Brees, Gloss. Civil Engin., Cornish *Engine, a single acting beam engine, employed in raising water from mines…. The steam … is used for the down stroke only, and raises an immense weight fastened to the pump rod at the end of the beam.
c. 1850. Nat. Encycl., I. 937. The finest variety … is the Cornish *Gilliflower.
1861. Miss Pratt, Flower. Pl., III. 367. Cornish *Heath … is well distinguished … by its truly bell-shaped corolla. Ibid., IV. 134. Creeping Sibthorpia … is called also Cornish *Money-wort.
1882. The Garden, 21 Jan., 34/2. The Cornish Moneywort … I have stuck … in against a moist bank in a deep Surrey lane.
1695. Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, IV. (1723), 198. The Cornish-*Stones, the Bristow-Stones.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 481. The glaze for cream-coloured pottery is formed of white lead, Cornish-stone, and flint.
2. sb. The ancient language of Cornwall, a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages; it became extinct in the latter part of the 18th c.
1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl., i. (1870), 123. Who so wyll speake any Cornishe, Englyshe and Cornyshe doth folow.
1602. Carew, Cornwall, I. (1769), 71. A kinde of Enterlude, compiled in Cornish out of some scripture history.
1867. Max Müller, Chips (1880), III. xiv. 300. Cornish began to die out in Cornwall about the time of the Reformation.
