chord2

Syllabification: (chord)

Pronunciation: /kôrd/

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Definition of chord

noun

1 Mathematics a straight line joining the ends of an arc.
Aeronautics the width of an airfoil from leading to trailing edge.
Engineering each of the two principal members of a truss.

2 Anatomyvariant spelling of cord.spinal chord

3 literary a string on a harp or other instrument.

Phrases

strike (or touch) a chord: affect or stir someone’s emotions: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: skillfully 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 meaning ‘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.

chord in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of chord in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

chord2

noun

Phrases

strike (or touch) a chord

strike (or touch) the right chord

Origin:

chord in other Oxford dictionaries

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