chord

Where does the word "chord" come from? It comes from Greek khordē, passing through Old French before entering English (1500s).

Chord’s story begins in Greek: khordē meant “string of gut.” Greek, a lyre string. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as corde. Came via Latin 'chorda'. It reached English by 1500s as chord. The musical 'chord' is partly from 'accord'; 'strike a chord' dates from the 1800s. Today, chord means a group of notes sounded together.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient khordē "string of gut", Greek, a lyre string.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval corde "cord, string", came via Latin 'chorda'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s chord "string", the musical 'chord' is partly from 'accord'; 'strike a chord' dates from the 1800s.