cord English · revision 10670

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1300|origins=fro corde|origins=la chorda|origins=grc χορδή}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kɔːd/, US /kɔːrd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|corde|t=rope, string]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from Latin chorda, string, catgut,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from Greek [[m|grc|χορδή|tr=khordḗ|t=gut, string of a lyre]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) which Barnhart relates to Sanskrit hirā́, band, and Old Norse gǫrn, gut, from an Indo-European root meaning gut.^(Barnhart 1988) [[chord]], a straight line, is its doublet.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A string or small rope of several twisted strands: before 1300;^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the surname Cordemaker is from 1199.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The hangman's rope is from about 1330,^(OED 1989) and a tendon or cord-like body part (vocal cords) from about 1400.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) Figuratively, anything that binds or restrains is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) As a measure of cut wood, 128 cubic feet, it is from the 1610s, so called because it was measured with a cord.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) A raised rib on cloth is from 1776,^(Etymonline) giving cord for [[corduroy]].^(Collins 2023) ''Cordage'' is from 1490.^(Barnhart 1988) In North America a cord is also an electric flex.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1199 – Cordemaker (surname).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1300 – a string or rope.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – a tendon.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1490 – cordage.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1610s – a measure of wood.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1776 – a rib in cloth.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # [[string|alt=String]] or thin rope made of twisted strands.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A flexible insulated electric [[cable]] with a plug.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A structure in the body like a cord, such as the spinal cord or vocal cords.^(AHD)

+ # A measure of cut wood, 128 cubic feet.^(Etymonline)^(AHD)

+ # Corduroy, or a rib in cloth.^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To tie or bind with a cord.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[corder]]

+ * [[cordlike]]

+ * [[cordgrass]]

+ * [[cordite]]

+ * [[cordotomy]]

+ * [[corduroy]]

+ * [[cordwood]]

+ * [[whipcord]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[chord]]

+ * [[cordon]]

+ * [[cordage]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}