Definition of "Cordelia"

What shall Cordelia do? Love, and be silent.

c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene i]

"I don't believe I've ever run into a Delia before." "Well, it's Cordelia, really. My father named me that." "And are you one?" "Am I one what?" "Are you your father's Cordelia?"

1995, Anne Tyler, Ladder of Years, Knopf, page 8