chord

/kɔ:d/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
chord

A pianist plays a beautiful chord on the grand piano.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A combination of three or more musical notes sounded simultaneously: In music theory, a chord is a set of notes that produces a specific harmonic quality when played together.
    • A straight line segment joining two points on a curve: In geometry, a chord is a line segment whose endpoints lie on a circle or other curve.
  2. Verb:

    • To play chords on a musical instrument: This refers to the action of producing chords, typically on a stringed instrument like a guitar or piano.
    • To bring into harmony or accord: This is a more figurative use, meaning to make things compatible or in agreement.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun (Music):
    • The pianist played a beautiful C major chord.
    • The song's opening chord is very dramatic.
  • Noun (Geometry):
    • The length of the chord can be calculated using the circle's radius.
    • A diameter is the longest possible chord in a circle.
  • Verb (Music):
    • She learned to chord on the guitar.
    • He chorded the progression perfectly.
  • Verb (Figurative):
    • The speaker's words chorded with the audience's feelings. (This usage is less common.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Strike a chord": To evoke a feeling of recognition or sympathy.
    • Her story about overcoming adversity struck a chord with many listeners.
  • "Touch a chord": Similar to "strike a chord," meaning to affect someone emotionally.
    • The film's message touched a deep chord in the community.
Variants and Related Words
  • Chordal (adj): Pertaining to or consisting of chords.
    • The piece features dense chordal textures.
  • Chordophone (n): A musical instrument that makes sound from vibrating strings (e.g., guitar, violin). This is a classification term, not a direct variant of "chord."
  • Vocal cords (n): The folds of tissue in the larynx involved in voice production. Note the different spelling ("cords" vs. "chords").
Synonyms
  • Noun (Music): Harmony, triad, cluster (for a specific type of chord).
  • Noun (Geometry): Segment, line segment.
  • Verb: Harmonize, strum (for playing chords on a string instrument).
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
  • Chord with: To be in harmony or agreement with something (often used figuratively).
    • His ideas chord with the company's new philosophy.
  • Chord progression (n phrase): A series of chords played in sequence, fundamental to most music.
    • The jazz standard has a complex chord progression.
Related Idioms
  • Strike/Touch the right chord: To do or say something that is exactly appropriate or effective.
    • The advertisement struck the right chord and boosted sales significantly.
chord

A pianist plays a beautiful chord on the grand piano.

Noun
  1. a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together
  2. a straight line connecting two points on a curve
Verb
  1. bring into consonance, harmony, or accord while making music or singing
  2. play chords on (a string instrument)