chime
/tʃaɪm/ noun C2- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The sound of such an instrument or device. · The copier gave a chime to indicate that it had finished printing.· Chimes sing Sunday morn.
- 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.
Plural chimes
From the library
The tinkles of sleigh bells among the snowy hills came like elfin chimes through the frosty air, but their music was not sweeter than the song in Anne’s heart and on her lips.
I can distinctly remember that as we did so there came three chimes from a neighbouring clock.
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