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chime1
—chimer, n./chuym/, n., v., chimed, chiming.n.1. an apparatus for striking a bell so as to produce a musical sound, as one at the front door of a house by which visitors announce their presence.2. Often, chimes.a. a set of bells or of slabs of metal, stone, wood, etc., producing musical tones when struck.b. a musical instrument consisting of such a set, esp. a glockenspiel.c. the musical tones thus produced.d. carillon.3. harmonious sound in general; music; melody.4. harmonious relation; accord: the battling duo, in chime at last.v.i.5. to sound harmoniously or in chimes, as a set of bells: The church bells chimed at noon.6. to produce a musical sound by striking a bell, gong, etc.; ring chimes: The doorbell chimed.7. to speak in cadence or singsong.8. to harmonize; agree: The scenery chimed perfectly with the play's eerie mood.v.t.10. to strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.) so as to produce musical sound.11. to put, bring, indicate, announce, etc., by chiming: Bells chimed the hour.12. to utter or repeat in cadence or singsong: The class chimed a greeting to the new teacher.13. chime in,a. to break suddenly and unwelcomely into a conversation, as to express agreement or voice an opinion.b. to harmonize with, as in singing.c. to be consistent or compatible; agree: The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.[1250-1300; ME chymbe belle, by false analysis of *chimbel, OE cimbal CYMBAL]chime2/chuym/, n.the edge or brim of a cask, barrel, or the like, formed by the ends of the staves projecting beyond the head or bottom.[1350-1400; ME chimb(e); cf. OE cimbing chime; c. MLG, MD kimme edge]
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any of several sets of tuned percussion instruments. Most frequently “chime” refers to the bell chime (q.v.), but it also denotes tubular bells (q.v.), or orchestral bells; the stone chimes (q.v.), or lithophone; drum chimes, sets of tuned drums found in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand; and gong (q.v.) chimes, the sets of tuned gongs used in the gamelan orchestras of Southeast Asia.* * *
Universalium. 2010.