Origin: (1) 1400-1500 accord (2-3) 1500-1600 cord; influenced by Latin chorda ( ➔ CORD) ( (2) chord string of a musical instrument (17-19 centuries))
1eng. lang. arts a combination of two or more musical notes played at the same time → see Usage atcord2strike/touch a chord to do or say something that people feel is true or familiar to them and that will make them agree with you or understand you: Many of the things she says will strike a chord with other young women.3math, geometry a straight line joining two points on a curve