from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Chord \Chord\ (k[^o]rd), n. [L chorda a gut, a string made of a
gut, Gr. chordh`. 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.
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2. (Mus.) A combination of tones simultaneously performed,
producing more or less perfect harmony, as, the common
chord.
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3. (Geom.) A right line uniting the extremities of the arc of
a circle or curve.
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4. (Anat.) A cord. See {Cord}, n., 4.
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5. (Engin.) The upper or lower part of a truss, usually
horizontal, resisting compression or tension. --Waddell.
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{Accidental, Common, & 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}.
[1913 Webster]