choir
pronunciation
How to pronounce choir in British English:
UK [ˈkwaɪə(r)]
How to pronounce choir in American English:
US [ˈkwaɪər]
-
- Noun:
- a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
- a family of similar musical instrument playing together
- the area occupied by singers; the part of the chancel between sanctuary and nave
-
- Verb:
- sing in a choir
Word Origin
- choir
- choir: [13] Modern choirs merely sing, but far back in time they danced too. The word comes ultimately from Greek khorós, which in ancient Greek drama signified a group of singers and dancers who commented on the action of the play (the element of dance is preserved in choreography). In Latin, khorós became chorus – whence English chorus [16], choral, and probably also carol. The Latin form in turn developed to Old French quer, in which form it was borrowed into English; the spelling choir, modelled on Latin and the modern French form choeur, was introduced in the 17th century.=> carol, choreography, chorus
- choir (n.)
- c. 1300, queor "part of the church where the choir sings," from Old French cuer, quer "choir of a church (architectural); chorus of singers" (13c., Modern French choeur), from Latin chorus "choir" (see chorus). Meaning "band of singers" is c. 1400, quyre. Re-spelled mid-17c. on Latin model.
Example
- 1. Ms hayes says this is not a problem in the ubs choir .
- 2. You need to do more things that you enjoy . Join a choir or a drama club .
- 3. Your child sings beautifully , but that doesn 't mean he can cope with the social complexities of a choir .
- 4. If companies are keen to form a choir but cannot muster a quorum , it might make sense to collaborate with another firm .
- 5. But there is a subtle political component to what mr. moe naing is doing when he directs the choir , which all students must join .