Adjacent Words

Choir definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CHOIR, n.
1. A collection of singers, especially in divine service, in a church.
2. Any collection of singers.
3. That part of a church appropriated for the singers, separated from the chancel and the nave. In congregational and some other churches, the singers are placed in certain seats in the galleries.
4. In nunneries, a large hall adjoining to the body of the church, separated by a grate, where the nuns sing the office.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
2: a family of similar musical instrument playing together [syn: choir, consort]
3: the area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave v
1: sing in a choir [syn: choir, chorus]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English quer, from Anglo-French queor, from Medieval Latin chorus, from Latin, chorus — more at chorus Date: 14th century 1. an organized company of singers (as in a church service) 2. a group of instruments of the same class <a brass choir> 3. an organized group of persons or things 4. a division of angels 5. the part of a church occupied by the singers or by the clergy; also the part of a church where the services are performed 6. a group organized for ensemble speaking II. intransitive verb Date: 1596 to sing or sound in chorus or concert

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a regular group of singers, esp. taking part in church services. 2 the part of a cathedral or large church between the altar and the nave, used by the choir and clergy. 3 a company of singers, birds, angels etc. (a heavenly choir). 4 Mus. a group of instruments of one family playing together. Phrases and idioms: choir organ the softest of three parts making up a large organ having its row of keys the lowest of the three. choir-stall = STALL(1) n. 3a. Etymology: ME f. OF quer f. L chorus: see CHORUS

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Choir Choir, n. [OE. quer, OF. cuer, F. ch[oe]ur, fr. L. chorus a choral dance, chorus, choir, fr. Gr. ?, orig. dancing place; prob. akin to ? inclosure, L. hortus garden, and E. yard. See Chorus.] 1. A band or organized company of singers, especially in church service. [Formerly written also quire.] 2. That part of a church appropriated to the singers. 3. (Arch.) The chancel. Choir organ (Mus.), one of the three or five distinct organs included in the full organ, each separable from the rest, but all controlled by one performer; a portion of the full organ, complete in itself, and more practicable for ordinary service and in the accompanying of the vocal choir. Choir screen, Choir wall (Arch.), a screen or low wall separating the choir from the aisles. Choir service, the service of singing performed by the choir. --T. Warton.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(choirs) A choir is a group of people who sing together, for example in a church or school. He has been singing in his church choir since he was six. N-COUNT

Moby Thesaurus

Easter sepulcher, Liederkranz, Liedertafel, a cappella, ambry, apse, baptistery, blindstory, chamber chorus, chancel, choral group, choral society, choral symphony, chorale, chorus, claviature, cloisters, confessional, confessionary, console, crypt, diaconicon, diaconicum, echo, eighty-eight, ensemble, fingerboard, glee club, great, ivories, keyboard, keys, manual, mixed chorus, nave, oratorio society, organ manual, pedals, piano keys, porch, presbytery, rood loft, rood stair, rood tower, sacrarium, sacristy, singing club, solo, swell, transept, triforium, vestry, voices