Chord /(kôrd)/

Chord

n.
  1. The string of a musical instrument.
  2. A combination of tones simultaneously performed, producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common chord. (Mus.)
  3. A right line uniting the extremities of the arc of a circle or curve. (Geom.)
  4. A cord. See Cord, n., 4. (Anat.)
  5. The upper or lower part of a truss, usually horizontal, resisting compression or tension. (Engin.)

Phrases & Compounds
Accidental, Common, & Vocal chords
See under Accidental, Common, and Vocal.
Chord of an arch
See Illust. of Arch.
Chord of curvature
a chord drawn from any point of a curve, in the circle of curvature for that point.
Scale of chords
See Scale.

Chord

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Chorded; p. pr. & vb. n. Chording

  1. To provide with musical chords or strings; to string; to tune.
    When Jubal struck the chorded shell.
    Even the solitary old pine tree chords his harp.
    — Beecher.

Chord

v. i.
  1. To accord; to harmonize together; as, this note chords with that. (Mus.)