chime Hear it!

chime¹ Definition

chime (c̸hīm)

noun

  1. a contrivance for striking a bell or set of bells
    1. a set of bells tuned to a musical scale
    2. a similar set of metal tubes, hung vertically and struck with a hammer
  3. a single bell rung by a hammer, as in a clock
  4. the musical sounds or harmony produced by or as by chimes
  5. harmony; agreement

Etymology: ME chimbe, cimble < OFr < L cymbalum, cymbal

intransitive verb chimed, chim′·ing

  1. to ring out when struck; sound as a chime
  2. to sound in harmony, as bells
  3. to harmonize; agree

transitive verb

  1. to ring, play, or strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.)
  2. to make (music or sound) on chimes
  3. to give (the time) by striking bells
  4. to call, summon, etc. by sounding a chime

chime¹ Related Forms

chim′er noun

chime¹ Idioms

chime in

  1. to join in or interrupt a conversation
  2. to agree

chime² Definition

chime (c̸hīm)

noun

the extended rim at each end of a cask or barrel

Etymology: ME chimb < OE cimb- (only in compounds); akin to Du kim, Ger kimme, an edge & ? comb

chime Synonyms

chime

v.

peal, tinkle, clang, toll; see ring 3, sound 1.

chime Usage Examples

Object

  • clock: The next time, Charlie went to see the chiming clock in the hall.
  • bell: Ringing and chiming bells are plotted as two separate lines in each case for clarity.
  • guitar: Repeated listens unearth depth to this record with the soft chiming guitar claiming an important role in the sound.
  • midnight: However, all was silent save for the chimes striking midnight in the city.
  • chord: And then words did ring forth from her, from him, chiming together perfect chords.
  • hour: You probably get the message: the bell in the church chimed every hour on the hour all night!

Converse of object

hear: By this time, you've probably heard the doorbell chime, which means the mail's in.

Preposition: on

side: Once the second starts to chime on both sides sufficient space must be left for it.

Modifies a noun

  • whistle: Whilst on the LMR the chime whistle was also replaced by twin air horns.
  • bar: In Music we listened to high and low sounds and played them on chime bars.

Modifying Another Word

  • perfectly: Mozartâs stock now could hardly stand higher: his emotional ambiguity seems to chime perfectly with our times.
  • certainly: This certainly chimes with the message that the British government would like the European Union to heed.
  • well: A fine choice for a wide variety of musical tastes, which seems to chime well with a variety of partnering equipment too.

Noun used with modifier

  • bell: The original is a repeated ground bass built on a simple bell chime, with running variations in the solo part.
  • wind: Also, wind chimes are a must for the garden.
  • clock: Roberta woke to hear the little traveling clock chime two.
  • door: Portable door chimes Keep the door chime near you to hear the doorbell.

Preposition: in

th: The UK Presidency ended as the clocks chimed in th... Their good work is ignored by the media - yet they...

Preposition: of

  • bell: The chime of the golden bells at the foot of His priestly robe did not betray Him.
  • clock: Now people gather to await the chiming of the famous astronomical clock.