Vocal cords

Vocal cords
Vocal Vo"cal (v[=o]"kal), a. [L. vocalis, fr. vox, vocis, voice: cf. F. vocal. See {Voice}, and cf. {Vowel}.] 1. Of or pertaining to the voice or speech; having voice; endowed with utterance; full of voice, or voices. [1913 Webster]

To hill or valley, fountain, or fresh shade, Made vocal by my song. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. Uttered or modulated by the voice; oral; as, vocal melody; vocal prayer. ``Vocal worship.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. Of or pertaining to a vowel or voice sound; also, spoken with tone, intonation, and resonance; sonant; sonorous; -- said of certain articulate sounds. [1913 Webster]

4. (Phon.) (a) Consisting of, or characterized by, voice, or tone produced in the larynx, which may be modified, either by resonance, as in the case of the vowels, or by obstructive action, as in certain consonants, such as v, l, etc., or by both, as in the nasals m, n, ng; sonant; intonated; voiced. See {Voice}, and {Vowel}, also Guide to Pronunciation, [sect][sect] 199-202. (b) Of or pertaining to a vowel; having the character of a vowel; vowel. [1913 Webster]

{Vocal cords} or {Vocal chords}. n. pl. (Anat.) The two pairs of mucous membranes that project into the larynx, and which produce the sounds of speech by vibrating under the influence of air exhaled from the lungs. See {Larynx}, and the Note under {Voice}, n., 1.

{Vocal fremitus} [L. fremitus a dull roaring or murmuring] (Med.), the perceptible vibration of the chest wall, produced by the transmission of the sonorous vibrations during the act of using the voice.

{Vocal music}, music made by the voice, in distinction from {instrumental music}; hence, music or tunes set to words, to be performed by the human voice.

{Vocal tube} (Anat.), the part of the air passages above the inferior ligaments of the larynx, including the passages through the nose and mouth. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • vocal cords — n. either of two pairs of membranous cords or folds in the larynx, consisting of a thicker upper pair (false vocal cords) and a lower pair (true vocal cords): voice is produced when air from the lungs causes the lower cords to vibrate: pitch is… …   English World dictionary

  • vocal cords — vocal chords n [plural] thin pieces of muscle in your throat that produce sounds when you speak …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • vocal cords — vocal ,cords or vocal ,chords noun plural the very thin muscles inside your throat that you use for making sounds …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • vocal cords — (also vocal folds) ► PLURAL NOUN ▪ folds of the lining of the larynx whose edges vibrate in the airstream to produce the voice …   English terms dictionary

  • vocal cords — noun plural also vocal bands : either of two pairs of folds of mucous membrane that project into the cavity of the larynx and have free edges extending dorsoventrally toward the middle line: a. : false vocal cords b. or vocal folds …   Useful english dictionary

  • vocal cords — also vocal chords N PLURAL Your vocal cords are the part of your throat that vibrates when you speak. She wanted to scream, but her vocal cords seemed paralysed …   English dictionary

  • vocal cords — Anat. either of the two pairs of folds of mucous membrane projecting into the cavity of the larynx. Cf. true vocal cords, false vocal cords. [1850 55] * * * …   Universalium

  • vocal cords — (also vocal folds) plural noun folds of the membranous lining of the larynx which form a slit within the glottis and whose edges vibrate in the airstream to produce the voice. Usage The correct term is vocal cords, not vocal chords …   English new terms dictionary

  • vocal cords —    Not to be confused with chords (groups of musical notes), as happens all too often: Understudy Nancy Ringham will play opposite Rex Harrison because Miss Kennedy has problems with her vocal chords (Evening Standard). Vocal cords are so called… …   Dictionary of troublesome word

  • vocal cords —  Not chords. Vocal cords are so called because of their shape and structure, not because of their tonal qualities …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

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