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chord²

(kôrd)

1. A line segment that joins two points on a curve. See Usage Note at chord¹.

2. A straight line connecting the leading and trailing edges of an airfoil.

3. Anatomy Variant of cord.

4. An emotional feeling or response: Her words struck a sympathetic chord in her audience.

5. Archaic The string of a musical instrument.

[Alteration of CORD.]

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chord2

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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