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. strike a chord 1 recall something to a person's memory. 2 elicit sympathy. touch the right chord appeal skilfully to the emotions. chordal adj.
[ 16th-c. refashioning of CORD after L chorda ]