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chord

n. · v.
US //ˈkɔɹd// UK //kˈɔːd// chord
  1. 1 music notes (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    three or more musical notes played at the same time to create a harmony.

    a harmonic set of three or more notes sounded simultaneously.

    Example

    The song begins with a simple guitar chord that everyone recognizes.

    Example

    The composer utilized a series of dissonant chords to evoke a sense of unease before resolving into a major key.
    Pitfall
    He played a beautiful cord on the piano.
    He played a beautiful chord on the piano.

    Use 'chord' for music and 'cord' for a thin rope or string.

  2. 2 geometry (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Math

    a straight line that connects two points on a curved line or circle.

    a straight line segment whose endpoints both lie on a circular arc or other curve.

    Example

    The teacher asked us to draw a chord across the circle without passing through the center.

    Example

    In geometry, the diameter is technically the longest possible chord that can be drawn within a circle.
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  1. 3 aviation/engineering (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    the width of an aircraft wing from the front edge to the back edge.

    the distance between the leading and trailing edges of an aerofoil, measured in the direction of the normal airflow.

    Example

    Engineers measured the chord of the wing to calculate how much lift it would create.

    Example

    The tapered wing design features a varying chord length to optimize aerodynamic efficiency at high altitudes.
  2. 4 computing (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Computing

    a keyboard shortcut where you press two or more keys in a specific order.

    a keyboard input method involving a combination of keys pressed simultaneously or in a specific sequence to execute a command.

    Example

    Some advanced text editors use a chord like Ctrl+K followed by Ctrl+C to comment out code.

    Example

    Power users often prefer chorded commands because they allow for a vast number of shortcuts without moving the hands from the home row.
  3. 5 to arrange music (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    to write or provide the musical chords for a piece of music.

    to compose, provide, or arrange harmonic chords for a melody.

    Example

    She spent the afternoon chording the new song she wrote on her guitar.

    Example

    The pianist was asked to chord the folk melody, adding a modern jazz influence to the traditional structure.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as a song or a melody.
Origin

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.

Idioms1 entry

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