Pronunciation: [kˈɔːd] (IPA) 
The word "cord" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation is not as straightforward as one might expect. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /kɔːd/. The "o" is pronounced as a long vowel sound, like the "oa" in "boat". The "r" is pronounced with a slight trill, and the final "d" is pronounced as a voiced consonant. The spelling of "cord" may seem simple, but its pronunciation requires attention to subtle nuances.
Cord, noun:
1. A thin, flexible string or rope made of multiple intertwined strands of fibers, such as cotton, nylon, or hemp, and commonly used for tying, binding, or securing objects together.
2. A unit of measure equal to 8 feet or approximately 2.44 meters in length, typically used in surveys or as a standard length for firewood or construction materials.
3. A wire or cable consisting of one or more insulated conductors that transmit electricity or signals.
4. In anatomy, a long, cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers that connects different parts of the body, transmitting sensory and motor information.
5. In music, a group of notes played simultaneously or successively, forming a harmonious melody or accompaniment.
6. A flexible cylindrical tubular structure found in certain plants, such as a stolon or rhizome, for distributing nutrients or water.
7. A string or wire stretched across a musical instrument, such as a guitar or piano, that produces sound when plucked, struck, or vibrated.
8. To cord: the act of stacking or arranging firewood in a neat and orderly manner, allowing air to circulate and aid in the drying process before use.
In various contexts, the term "cord" refers to diverse objects or concepts, such as a string, length measurement, electrical conductor, nerve bundle, musical arrangement, plant structure, or firewood stacking method.
1. In anatomy, any long, string-like structure. 2. To become corded or string-like.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• A string or small rope having the strands or plies well twisted; a quantity of wood formerly measured by a cord; that by which persons are caught, held, or drawn; in Scrip., a snare; a musical string.
• To bind; to fasten with cords or rope.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cord" originates from the Old French word "corde", which can be traced back to the Latin word "chorda". This Latin term was borrowed from the Greek word "khordē", meaning "string" or "gut". Ultimately, the Greek word has its roots in the Indo-European language family, where the word "gher" meant "intestine" or "gut". Over time, the meaning of "cord" expanded to refer to a thick string or a long, thin rope.
