Word Study
chord
CIDE DICTIONARY
chord, n. [L chorda a gut, a string made of a gut, Gr. chordh`. In the sense of a string or small rope, in general, it is written cord. See Cord.].
- The string of a musical instrument. Milton. [1913 Webster]
- A combination of tones simultaneously performed, producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common chord. [1913 Webster]
- A right line uniting the extremities of the arc of a circle or curve. [1913 Webster]
- A cord. See Cord,
n. , 4. [1913 Webster] - The upper or lower part of a truss, usually horizontal, resisting compression or tension. Waddell. [1913 Webster]
chord, v. t.
To provide with musical chords or strings; to string; to tune. [1913 Webster]
"When Jubal struck the chorded shell." [1913 Webster]
"Even the solitary old pine tree chords his harp." [1913 Webster]
chord, v. i.
To accord; to harmonize together; as, this note chords with that. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
chord, n. Mus. a group of (usu. three or more) notes sounded together, as a basis of harmony.
Derivative
chordal adj.
chord, n.
1 Math. & Aeron. etc. a straight line joining the ends of an arc, the wings of an aeroplane, etc.
2 Anat. = CORD.
3 poet. the string of a harp etc.
4 Engin. one of the two principal members, usu. horizontal, of a truss.
1 Math. & Aeron. etc. a straight line joining the ends of an arc, the wings of an aeroplane, etc.
2 Anat. = CORD.
3 poet. the string of a harp etc.
4 Engin. one of the two principal members, usu. horizontal, of a truss.
Idiom
strike a chord
1 recall something to a person's memory.
2 elicit sympathy. touch the right chord appeal skilfully to the emotions.
1 recall something to a person's memory.
2 elicit sympathy. touch the right chord appeal skilfully to the emotions.
Derivative
chordal adj.
Etymology
16th-c. refashioning of CORD after L chorda
THESAURUS
chord
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