monochord

[ mon-uh-kawrd ]

/ ˈmɒn əˌkɔrd /

Save This Word!

noun

an acoustical instrument dating from antiquity, consisting of an oblong wooden sounding box, usually with a single string, used for the mathematical determination of musical intervals.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of monochord

1375–1425; late Middle English monocorde<Medieval Latin monochordum<Greek monóchordon, noun use of neuter of monóchordos with one string. See mono-, chord¹

Words nearby monochord

Monoceros, monochasium, monochlamydeous, monochloride, monochloroacetic acid, monochord, monochroic, monochromat, monochromatic, monochromatism, monochromator

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use monochord in a sentence

In the eleventh century, when musical notation came into being, a monochord was used to teach singing.
Chats on Household Curios|Fred W. Burgess
One of the instruments which brings the child to producing and recognizing notes is the monochord.
Montessori Elementary Materials|Maria Montessori
The monochord has a movable bridge, therefore some time is lost in adjusting it in order to get the different tones.
Critical & Historical Essays|Edward MacDowell
And he remarks, respecting those proportions, that they are similar to the harmonic divisions of a monochord.
The Complete Works in Philosophy, Politics and Morals of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin, [Vol 2 of 3]|Benjamin Franklin

The principle of the action remained that of the old monochord.
How Music Developed|W. J. Henderson

British Dictionary definitions for monochord

monochord

/ (ˈmɒnəʊˌkɔːd) /

noun

an instrument employed in acoustic analysis or investigation, consisting usually of one string stretched over a resonator of woodAlso called: sonometer (səˈnɒmɪtə)

Word Origin for monochord

C15: from Old French, from Late Latin, from Greek monokhordon, from mono- + khordē string

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012