cord
/kɔːd
/noun
1 [mass noun] Thin, flexible string or rope made from several twisted strands: her feet were tied with cord...
- Alaine nodded and began rummaging round in the small dark brown suede money pouch she wore on a loose thin strand of black cord around her waist.
- To keep the deer from munching on the daylilies out front, they put a single strand of white cord along the entire length of the split rail fence.
- Cut the string or cord to the desired length, and thread it through the first bead.
Synonyms
string, thread, thong, lace, ribbon, strap, tape, tie, line, rope, cable, wire, ligature;
twine, yarn, elastic, braid, cording, braiding;
Falconry creance
rare fillis
1.1 [count noun] A length of cord: a dressing-gown cord...
- In your marketplace they traded with you beautiful garments, blue fabric, embroidered work and multicolored rugs with cords twisted and tightly knotted.
- Also, the rails carried black cords with black tassels hanging down, giving a sombre effect to the wooden coffin clamped to the trolley platform.
- The bungee jumpers now use special harnesses and strong elastic cords.
1.2 [count noun] An anatomical structure resembling a length of cord (e.g. the spinal cord, the umbilical cord): the baby was still attached to its mother by the cord...
- The tendon is a cord that attaches a muscle to another body part.
- As they do this, they travel through a gap in the muscles of the abdomen, which then closes around the cords by which the testicles are attached.
- A cluster of nerve cells within the cord or brain is called a nucleus.
1.3 [count noun] An electric flex: she began toying with the telephone cord...
- Many works are connected to the wall by wires or electrical cords, which generate an invisible but dynamic source of energy in her work.
- She was used to the slight buzz of the electrical cords, but these wires hummed.
- So the last thing he wanted was a big-screen TV and a mess of electrical wires and cords invading the calm.
2 [mass noun] Ribbed fabric, especially corduroy: the cloth for their suits was cord [as modifier]: cord jackets...
- I dressed up in a long skirt and black cord jacket and we went shopping first.
- Confirmation comes when the photo-shoot of the duo comes in - Susannah has her bosom stuffed into the very same cord jacket.
- Yes, I was that person who wore purple cord dungarees and a purple jumper, like some ghastly walking advert for Cadbury's Dairy Milk.
2.1 (cords) Corduroy trousers: he was dressed in faded black cords...
- Fall 2002 is marked by a retro look, which is highlighted by the re-emergence of corduroys, only these cords have thin ridges rather than the thicker ones that were popular last year.
- Jeans, cords and heavier types of trousers can be folded, as their thickness will generally prevent them from creasing.
- And the label's range is growing - having recently added cords and mini-skirts to the line in a palette that ranges from dazzling fucshia and apple to earthy khaki and grey.
2.2A cord-like rib on fabric.Updated in wide chunky cord, team with a wrap skirt and chunky polo neck.
3A measure of cut wood (usually 128 cu. ft, 3.62 cubic metres).Firewood is generally sold by volume, the most common measure being the cord....
- Today I got two cords of seasoned wood delivered, and I started tossing it in the barn.
- Several cords of wood were stacked under a car-port roof and also they had a large, brick barbecue with a handy, half-gallon of kerosene in a plastic container.
verb [with object]
Attach a cord to: (as adjective corded) a corded curtain track you will need to cord the blind...
- Don't ask why, but Jackson's bungee cording shoeboxes of cookies to our bikes as we set out on a long early evening tour of the bike path.
- To stabilize a buttonhole, cord it with buttonhole twist, gimp or elastic thread.
- Plus, in instances when you need to carry larger gear, the bag can be removed, and gear can be bungee corded directly to the rack.
Usage
See chord2 (usage)
Phrases
cut the (umbilical) cord
Origin
Middle English: from Old French corde, from Latin chorda, from Greek khordē 'gut, string of a musical instrument'.
chord from Middle English:
The sense of a group of musical notes was originally spelt cord and was a shortening of accord (Middle English) in the sense ‘bring into harmony’, which came from Latin accordere literally ‘to bring to heart’. The accordion (mid 19th century) ultimately gets its name from the same source. The sort of chord found in mathematics is also a respelling of cord, but this time in the sense ‘rope’. This was a Middle English word from Latin chorda, which came in turn from Greek khorde ‘gut, string of a musical instrument’. The spellings of both chords was changed to be more like their classical sources.