I. ˈkȯ(ə)rd, -ȯ(ə)d noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by chord ) (III) of cord, from Middle English, short for accord
: a combination of two or more tones sounded together, especially tones that blend harmoniously because of the simple ratios of their pitch frequencies ; specifically : common chord
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. : to harmonize together : accord
this tone chords with that
also : to sound together in harmony
2. : to play chords on a stringed instrument usually as an accompaniment
when she played something …, Mother chorded for her on the piano — Frances Judge
transitive verb
1. : to make chords on (a musical instrument) by stopping the strings
2. : to furnish (a melody) with chords : harmonize
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin chorda ) of cord (I)
1. : cord 3a
2.
a. : a straight line joining two points on a curve ; specifically : the segment of a secant between the two points of its intersection with a curve
b. of an arch : span II 3b
3.
a. obsolete : cord 1a
b. archaic : a string of a musical instrument
c. : a particular emotional or intellectual response
the story struck a popular chord
: a particular disposition or orientation of mind or spirit
surrealism … touched old chords of native, creative eccentricity — Saturday Review
4. : either of the two outside members of a truss connected and braced by the web members
5. : an arbitrary datum line from which the ordinates and position angles of an airfoil are measured ; especially : the straight line joining the leading and trailing edges