chime: Meaning and Definition of

chime

Pronunciation: (chīm), [key]
— n., v., chimed, chim•ing.
—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,
    1. a set of bells or of slabs of metal, stone, wood, etc., producing musical tones when struck.
    2. a musical instrument consisting of such a set, esp. a glockenspiel.
    3. the musical tones thus produced.
    4. carillon.
  3. harmonious sound in general; music; melody.
  4. harmonious relation; accord: the battling duo, in chime at last.
—v.i.
  1. to sound harmoniously or in chimes, as a set of bells: The church bells chimed at noon.
  2. to produce a musical sound by striking a bell, gong, etc.; ring chimes: The doorbell chimed.
  3. to speak in cadence or singsong.
  4. to harmonize; agree: The scenery chimed perfectly with the play's eerie mood.
—v.t.
  1. to give forth (music, sound, etc.), as a bell or bells.
  2. to strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.) so as to produce musical sound.
  3. to put, bring, indicate, announce, etc., by chiming: Bells chimed the hour.
  4. to utter or repeat in cadence or singsong: The class chimed a greeting to the new teacher.
  5. The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.
    1. to break suddenly and unwelcomely into a conversation, as to express agreement or voice an opinion.
    2. to harmonize with, as in singing.
    3. to be consistent or compatible; agree:The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.

chime

Pronunciation: (chīm), [key]
— n.
  1. the edge or brim of a cask, barrel, or the like, formed by the ends of the staves projecting beyond the head or bottom.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: