chord

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A harmonic set of three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously.

   He struck the opening chords of the passage; but this time Irene's voice was silent. Victor stopped in the middle of an arpeggio.

2. 2
   noun

   A line segment between two points of a curve.

   The simplest method of calculating the radius of a curve in situ is to measure the versine; in railway practice this is done by extending a tape 66 ft. (1 ch.) long in a straight line or chord between two points on the periphery of a curve, and then measuring the maximum distance of the rail from the chord at the centre of the 66 ft. The radius in chains is found by dividing the versine in inches into 99. Thus if a versine measures 3 in., the radius will be 33 ch.

3. 3
   noun

   A keyboard shortcut that involves two or more distinct keypresses, such as Ctrl+M followed by P.

   Ctrl-K is the default first key for chords, but you can create chords using any keys that you want.

4. 4
   noun

   The string of a musical instrument.

   Instruments that made melodious Chime Was heard, of Harp and Organ; and who mov'd Their Stops and Chords was seen.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Chord has two separate histories. The musical term was originally spelled cord and was shortened from accord in its sense of bringing sounds into harmony, ultimately from Latin accordere, “bring to heart.” The mathematical term is a respelling of cord, “rope,” which came through Latin chorda from Greek khordē, “gut” or “string of a musical instrument”; both spellings were later altered to look more classical.

Variant of cord, with spelling alteration due to Latin chorda (“cord”), ultimately from Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, “string of gut, the string of a lyre”). No relation to French accord (“chord”) and its derivations. Doublet of cuerda.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary