chord

views updated May 18 2018

chord1 / kôrd/ • n. a group of (typically three or more) notes sounded together, as a basis of harmony: a G major chord.• v. [intr.] [usu. as n.] (chording) play, sing, or arrange notes in chords.DERIVATIVES: chord·al / ˈkôrdl/ adj.chord2 • n. 1. Math. a straight line joining the ends of an arc. ∎  Aeron. the width of an airfoil from leading to trailing edge. ∎  Engineering each of the two principal members of a truss.2. Anat. variant spelling of cord: spinal chord.3. poetic/lit. a string on a harp or other instrument.PHRASES: strike (or touch) a chord affect or stir someone's emotions. [ORIGIN: with figurative reference to the emotions being the ‘strings’ of the mind visualized as a musical instrument.]

chord

views updated Jun 27 2018

chord In music, the simultaneous occurrence of three or more musical tones of different pitch. Chords are categorized as anomalous, characteristic, common, inverted or transient. See also harmony