chord2

 
Pronunciation: /kɔːd/

noun

  • 1 Mathematics a straight line joining the ends of an arc.
  • 2 Aeronautics the width of an aerofoil from leading to trailing edge.
  • 3 Engineering each of the two principal members of a truss: a stabilizer chord
  • 4 Anatomyvariant spelling of cord. the spinal chord
  • 5 literary a string on a harp or other instrument.

Phrases

strike (or touch) a chord

cause someone to feel sympathy, emotion, or enthusiasm: the issue of food safety strikes a chord with almost everyone
[with figurative reference to the emotions being the ‘strings’ of the mind visualized as a musical instrument]

strike (or touch) the right chord

skilfully appeal to or arouse a particular emotion in others: Dickens knew how to strike the right chord in the hearts of his readers

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the anatomical sense): a later spelling (influenced by Latin chorda 'rope') of cord

In modern English there are two words spelled chord: the first is the musical term ‘a group of notes sounded together’, and the second is a technical term in mathematics, aeronautics, and engineering. Cord meaning ‘string or rope made from twisted strands’ is etymologically related to the second chord but is now regarded as a distinct word. The anatomical term generally uses the spelling cord (as in spinal cord and vocal cord), although chord is an acceptable variant.