a. [f. CHORD sb. + -AL.]
1. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, the strings of a musical instrument.
1619. J. Boys, On Bk. Comm. Prayer (Ps. xcviii. Even. Service), in Wks. (1622), 36. All kinde of musicke, Vocall, Sing to the Lord. Chordall, Praise him vpon the Harpe, [etc.].
1794. G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., I. vi. 239. The organs of the human voice are partly flutal, and partly chordal.
2. Phys. Relating to the chorda tympani, a branch of the facial nerve.
1872. Thudichum, Chem. Phys., 2. ‘Chordal’ saliva.
1878. Kingzett, Anim. Chem., 52. Chordal saliva is secreted by the submaxillary glands on irritation of a nerve … termed ‘Chorda tympani.’
1878. Bell, Gegenbaur’s Comp. Anat., 426. The investment … is chordal sheath.
3. Mus. Relating to, or consisting of, chords. b. transf. in Painting (see CHORD sb.2 4).
1848. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., II. III. I. vi. 50. It is only harmonious and chordal variety … which is rightly agreeable.
1881. Parry, in Grove, Dict. Mus., III. 157. The chordal combinations were … classified according to recognized degrees of consonance and dissonance.
1884. Nonconf. & Indep., 27 March, 310/2. Putting in a light chordal accompaniment.
