Chord (?), n. [L chorda a gut, a string made of a gut, Gr. . In the sense of a string or small rope, in general, it is written cord. See Cord.]
1.
The string of a musical instrument.
Milton.
2. Mus.
A combination of tones simultaneously performed, producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common chord.
3. Geom.
A right line uniting the extremities of the arc of a circle or curve.
4. Anat.
A cord. See Cord, n., 4.
5. Engin.
The upper or lower part of a truss, usually horizontal, resisting compression or tension.
Waddell.
Accidental, Common, and Vocal chords. See under Accidental, Common, and Vocal. -- Chord of an arch. See Illust. of Arch. -- Chord of curvature, a chord drawn from any point of a curve, in the circle of curvature for that point. -- Scale of chords. See Scale.
© Webster 1913.
Chord, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chorded; p. pr. & vb. n. Chording.]
To provide with musical chords or strings; to string; to tune.
When Jubal struck the chorded shell.
Dryden.
Even the solitary old pine tree chords his harp.
Beecher.
© Webster 1913.
Chord, v. i. Mus.
To accord; to harmonize together; as, this note chords with that.
© Webster 1913.