chime
Pronunciation: (chīm), [key]
— n., v., chimed, chim•ing.
—n.
- 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.
- Often,
- a set of bells or of slabs of metal, stone, wood, etc., producing musical tones when struck.
- a musical instrument consisting of such a set, esp. a glockenspiel.
- the musical tones thus produced.
- carillon.
- harmonious sound in general; music; melody.
- harmonious relation; accord: the battling duo, in chime at last.
—v.i.
- to sound harmoniously or in chimes, as a set of bells: The church bells chimed at noon.
- to produce a musical sound by striking a bell, gong, etc.; ring chimes: The doorbell chimed.
- to speak in cadence or singsong.
- to harmonize; agree: The scenery chimed perfectly with the play's eerie mood.
—v.t.
- to give forth (music, sound, etc.), as a bell or bells.
- to strike (a bell, set of bells, etc.) so as to produce musical sound.
- to put, bring, indicate, announce, etc., by chiming: Bells chimed the hour.
- to utter or repeat in cadence or singsong: The class chimed a greeting to the new teacher.
- The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.
- to break suddenly and unwelcomely into a conversation, as to express agreement or voice an opinion.
- to harmonize with, as in singing.
- to be consistent or compatible; agree:The new building will not chime in with the surrounding architecture.
chime
Pronunciation: (chīm), [key]
— 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.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.