The Spanish word 'cortado' comes from the verb 'cortar' meaning 'to cut', combined with the past participle suffix '-ado'. The verb 'cortar' itself derives from Latin 'curtare' meaning 'to shorten' or 'to cut', which in turn comes from the Latin adjective 'curtus' meaning 'short' or 'cut'. In modern Spanish, 'cortado' literally means 'cut' and is famously used to describe a type of coffee drink that is 'cut' with milk.

Several common Spanish words share this root, including the basic verb 'cortar' (to cut), 'corte' (cut, or court), 'corteza' (bark, crust - something that's been cut off), and 'corto' (short). These all maintain the basic concept of cutting or shortening from their Latin origin.

The Latin root 'curtus' has also given English several related words. The most direct connection is seen in 'curt' meaning abrupt or short in speech. We also see it in 'curtail' meaning to cut short or reduce, and even in 'court' (originally a shortened or enclosed space). These words all preserve the original notion of something shortened or cut.