cord

 
Pronunciation: /kɔːd/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] thin, flexible string or rope made from several twisted strands: her feet were tied with cord
  • [count noun] a length of cord: a dressing-gown cord
  • [count noun] an anatomical structure resembling a length of cord (e.g. the spinal cord, the umbilical cord): the baby was still attached to its mother by the cord
  • [count noun] an electric flex: she began toying with the telephone cord
  • 2 [mass noun] ribbed fabric, especially corduroy: the cloth for their suits was cord [as modifier]: cord jackets
  • (cords) corduroy trousers: he was dressed in faded black cords
  • a cord-like rib on fabric.
  • 3a measure of cut wood (usually 128 cu. ft, 3.62 cubic metres).

verb

[with object]
  • attach a cord to: (as adjective corded) a corded curtain track you will need to cord the blind

Phrases

cut the (umbilical) cord

cease to rely on someone or something protective or supportive and begin to act independently: the true innovators of hard rock, like Jimi Hendrix, finally cut the umbilical cord to traditional rock ‘n’ roll

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French corde, from Latin chorda, from Greek khordē 'gut, string of a musical instrument'

See chord2 (usage)

There are two distinct words spelled chord: in music, a group of notes sounded together to form the basis of harmony, and martyrs; a technical word in mathematics and engineering, meaning ‘a straight line joining the ends of an arc, the leading and trailing edges of an aircraft wing, etc.’ The idiom to strike a chord derives, somewhat surprisingly, from the technical meaning. The word cord meaning ‘string, rope, etc.’ is used in spinal cord, umbilical cord, vocal cord, etc., The anatomical sense is often spelled chord, particularly in the phrase vocal chords, but this spelling is not recommended.

Do not confuse chord with cord. Chord means 'a group of musical notes' ( a G major chord), whereas cord means 'thin string or rope' or 'a part of the body like a string or rope' ( the spinal cord).