chords

1. a group of (typically three or more) notes sounded together, as a basis of harmony.

   the triumphal opening chords

   a G major chord

1. play, sing, or arrange notes in chords.

   the entire swing session is masterfully chorded by the Duke on piano

Middle English cord, from accord. The spelling change in the 18th century was due to confusion with chord². The original sense was ‘agreement, reconciliation’, later ‘a musical concord or harmonious sound’; the current sense dates from the mid 18th century.

1. a straight line joining the ends of an arc.
2. each of the two principal members of a truss.

   a stabilizer chord

3. variant spelling of cord.

   the spinal chord

4. a string on a harp or other instrument.

mid 16th century (in the anatomical sense): a later spelling (influenced by Latin chorda ‘rope’) of cord.