chime

Etymology 1

From Middle English chime, chim, chimbe, chymbe, a shortening of chimbelle (misinterpreted as chymme-belle, chimbe-belle), from Old English ċimbala, ċimbal (“cymbal”), from Latin cymbalum.

noun

1. (music) A musical instrument producing a sound when struck, similar to a bell (e.g. a tubular metal bar) or actually a bell. Often used in the plural to refer to the set: the chimes.
   Hugo had a recording of someone playing the chimes against a background of surf noise that she found calming.
   Sylvia was a chime player in the school orchestra.
2. An individual ringing component of such a set.
   Peter removed the C♯ chime from its mounting so that he could get at the dust that had accumulated underneath.
3. A small bell or other ringing or tone-making device as a component of some other device.
   The professor had stuffed a wad of gum into the chime of his doorbell so that he wouldn't be bothered.
4. The sound of such an instrument or device.
   The copier gave a chime to indicate that it had finished printing.
   Chimes sing Sunday morn.
5. A small hammer or other device used to strike a bell.
   Strike the bell with the brass chime hanging on the chain next to it.

verb

1. (intransitive) To make the sound of a chime.
   The microwave chimed to indicate that it was done cooking.
   I got up for lunch as soon as the wall clock began chiming noon.
2. (transitive) To cause to sound in harmony; to play a tune, as upon a set of bells; to move or strike in harmony.
   And chime their sounding hammers.
3. (transitive) To utter harmoniously; to recite rhythmically.
   Chime his childish verse. 1809, Lord Byron, English Bards and Scotch Reviewers
4. (intransitive) To agree; to correspond.
   The other lab's results chimed with mine, so I knew we were on the right track with the research.
5. To make a rude correspondence of sounds; to jingle, as in rhyming.
   It shall not keep one settled pace of time, In the same tune it shall not always chime a. 1667, Abraham Cowley, Ode Upon Liberty

Etymology 2

noun

1. Alternative form of chine (“edge of a cask; part of a ship; etc.”)