chime 1
— chimer , n.
/chuym/ , n. , v. , chimed, chiming .
n.
1. an apparatus for striking a bell so as to produce a musical sound, as one at the front door of a house by which visitors announce their presence.
2. Often, chimes .
a. a set of bells or of slabs of metal, stone, wood, etc., producing musical tones when struck.
b. a musical instrument consisting of such a set, esp. a glockenspiel.
c. the musical tones thus produced.
d. carillon.
3. harmonious sound in general; music; melody.
4. harmonious relation; accord: the battling duo, in chime at last.
v.i.
5. to sound harmoniously or in chimes, as a set of bells: The church bells chimed at noon.
6. to produce a musical sound by striking a bell, gong, etc.; ring chimes: The doorbell chimed.
7. to speak in cadence or singsong.
8. to harmonize; agree: The scenery chimed perfectly with the play's eerie mood.
v.t.
9. to give forth (music, sound, etc.), as a bell or bells.
10. to strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.) so as to produce musical sound.
11. to put, bring, indicate, announce, etc., by chiming: Bells chimed the hour.
12. to utter or repeat in cadence or singsong: The class chimed a greeting to the new teacher.
13. chime in ,
a. to break suddenly and unwelcomely into a conversation, as to express agreement or voice an opinion.
b. to harmonize with, as in singing.
c. to be consistent or compatible; agree: The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.
[ 1250-1300; ME chymbe belle, by false analysis of * chimbel, OE cimbal CYMBAL ]
chime 2
/chuym/ , n.
the edge or brim of a cask, barrel, or the like, formed by the ends of the staves projecting beyond the head or bottom.
Also, chimb, chine .
[ 1350-1400; ME chimb ( e ); cf. OE cimbing chime; c. MLG, MD kimme edge ]