cord

Everyday

1. A cord is a thin rope or a thick string. tree →
2. A cord is the covered wire that joins a machine to the plug, like a phone charger cord. tree →
3. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves in your backbone. tree →
4. A cord of wood is a big pile of firewood. tree →

In the lessons

maths: a length to measure, cut or share into pieces (divide); joining cords (add); sometimes «a cord of wood», a pile of firewood; science: the spinal cord carries messages; everyday life and safety: tie with a cord, do not pull a plug out by the cord, keep cords away from water

Examples

• The cord is 24 inches long. tree →
• She cut the cord into 4 equal pieces. tree →
• A cord of wood costs $200. tree →
• He needs 3 cords that are each 2 meters long. tree →
• The lamp has a long cord. tree →
• Pull the cord to open the blinds. tree →
• Don't trip over the cord. tree →
• The spinal cord runs down your back. tree →
• ‘Even that cord is not strong enough.’ tree →

Note

Usually a length: cutting into equal pieces means divide, joining cords means add. Trap: «a cord of wood» is a measure of firewood, not a string. Homophone: «chord» is notes played together in music.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it means the ropes that hold up the tent of the tabernacle, and the twisted threads on the corners of a garment. In the Writings and Prophets cords are also pictures of ties, bonds and traps, such as the "cords of Sheol" or the bands of rulers.

Interpretation. The twisted cords on the corners are the tzitzit, fringes that tradition says remind a Jew of all the commandments. The poets' cords of death and bands to be thrown off are read as figures for danger and for rebellion against God.

Examples

• the pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords; (Torah EXO.35.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• and the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords. (Torah NUM.3.37, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt make thee twisted cords upon the four corners of thy covering, wherewith thou coverest thyself. (Torah DEU.22.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them? (Writings JOB.4.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of Death confronted me. (Prophets 2SA.22.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.' (Writings PSA.2.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Usually a length: cutting into equal pieces means divide, joining cords means add. Trap: «a cord of wood» is a measure of firewood, not a string. Homophone: «chord» is notes played together in music.