- chord (1)
- "related notes in music," 1597, aphetic of accord, infl. by L. chorda (see cord). Spelling with an -h- first recorded 1608.
- chord (2)
- "structure in animals resembling a string," 1540s, alteration of cord, by influence of Gk. khorde "gut, string." The geometry sense is from 1550s; meaning "feeling, emotion" first attested 1784.