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  1. the edge or brim of a cask, barrel, or the like, formed by the ends of the staves projecting beyond the head or bottom.
Also chimb, chine.

Origin of chime2

1350–1400; Middle English chimb(e); compare Old English cimbing chime; cognate with Middle Low German, Middle Dutch kimme edge
British Dictionary definitions for chimb


  1. a variant spelling of chime 2


  1. an individual bell or the sound it makes when struck
  2. (often plural) the machinery employed to sound a bell in this way
  3. Also called: bell a percussion instrument consisting of a set of vertical metal tubes of graduated length, suspended in a frame and struck with a hammer
  4. a harmonious or ringing soundthe chimes of children's laughter
  5. agreement; concord
    1. to sound (a bell) or (of a bell) to be sounded by a clapper or hammer
    2. to produce (music or sounds) by chiming
  1. (tr) to indicate or show (time or the hours) by chiming
  2. (tr) to summon, announce, or welcome by ringing bells
  3. (intr foll by with) to agree or harmonize
  4. to speak or recite in a musical or rhythmic manner
Derived Formschimer, noun

Word Origin

C13: probably shortened from earlier chymbe bell, ultimately from Latin cymbalum cymbal


chimb chine (tʃaɪn)

  1. the projecting edge or rim of a cask or barrel

Word Origin

Old English cimb-; related to Middle Low German kimme outer edge, Swedish kimb

Word Origin and History for chimb







Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

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