From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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3. (Arch.) The chancel.
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{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]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
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}]
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