[syn: choir, chorus]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.]
[1913 Webster]
2. That part of a church appropriated to the singers.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Arch.) The chancel.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
choir
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]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
53 Moby Thesaurus words for "choir":
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