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Definitions for Chain

[1] a series of objects connected one after the other, usually in the form of a series of metal rings passing through one another, used either for various purposes requiring a flexible tie with high tensile strength, as for hauling, supporting, or confining, or in various ornamental and decorative forms.
[2] Often chains. something that binds or restrains; bond: the chain of timidity; the chains of loyalty.
[3] chains, shackles or fetters: to place a prisoner in chains. bondage; servitude: to live one's life in chains. Nautical . (in a sailing vessel) the area outboard at the foot of the shrouds of a mast: the customary position of the leadsman in taking soundings. tire chain.
[4] a series of things connected or following in succession: a chain of events.
[5] a range of mountains.
[6] a number of similar establishments, as banks, theaters, or hotels, under one ownership or management.
[7] Chemistry . two or more atoms of the same element, usually carbon, attached as in a chain. Compare ring1(def 17) .
[8] Surveying , Civil Engineering . a distance-measuring device consisting of a chain of 100 links of equal length, having a total length either of 66 feet (20 meters) (Gunter's chain or surveyor's chain) or of 100 feet (30 meters) (engineer's chain) . a unit of length equal to either of these. a graduated steel tape used for distance measurements. Abbreviation : ch
[9] Mathematics . totally ordered set.
[10] Football . a chain 10 yards (9 meters) in length for determining whether a first down has been earned.
[11] to fasten or secure with a chain: to chain a dog to a post.
[12] to confine or restrain: His work chained him to his desk.
[13] Surveying . to measure (a distance on the ground) with a chain or tape.
[14] Computers . to link (related items, as records in a file or portions of a program) together, especially so that items can be run in sequence.
[15] to make (a chain stitch or series of chain stitches), as in crocheting.
[16] to form or make a chain.
[17] drag the chain , Australian Slang . to lag behind or shirk one's fair share of work.
[18] in the chains , Nautical . standing outboard on the channels or in some similar place to heave the lead to take soundings.
[19] Sir Ernst Boris [urnst, ernst] /ɜrnst, ɛrnst/ , 1906–79, English biochemist, born in Germany: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1945.
[20] a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery
[21] (usually plural) anything that confines, fetters, or restrains the chains of poverty
[22] Also called: snow chains (usually plural) a set of metal links that fit over the tyre of a motor vehicle to increase traction and reduce skidding on an icy surface
[23] a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management (as modifier ) a chain store
[24] a series of related or connected facts, events, etc
[25] a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy
[26] (of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premise See (as an example) sorites
[27] Also called: Gunter's chain a unit of length equal to 22 yards
[28] Also called: engineer's chain a unit of length equal to 100 feet
[29] chem two or more atoms or groups bonded together so that the configuration of the resulting molecule, ion, or radical resembles a chain See also open chain, ring 1 (def. 18)
[30] geography a series of natural features, esp approximately parallel mountain ranges
[31] off the chain Australian and NZ informal free from responsibility
[32] jerk someone's chain or yank someone's chain informal to tease, mislead, or harass someone
[33] surveying to measure with a chain or tape
[34] (tr often foll by up ) to confine, tie, or make fast with or as if with a chain
[35] to sew using chain stitch
[36] Sir Ernst Boris. 1906–79, British biochemist, born in Germany: purified and adapted penicillin for clinical use; with Fleming and Florey shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1945

Words related to Chain

conglomerate, group, string, bracelet, cable, attach, shackle, handcuff, enslave, tether, confine, continuity, set, progression, sequence, alternation, concatenation, train, syndicate, trust

Words nearby Chain

chagrin, chagul, chahar, chai, chaikovski, chain, chain coral, chain drive, chain fern, chain gang, chain gear

Origin of Chain

1250–1300; Middle English chayne < Old French chaeine < Latin catēna fetter; see catena

Other words from Chain

chain·less , adjective
chain·like , adjective
in·ter·chain , verb (used with object)
un·chained , adjective

Word origin for Chain

C13: from Old French chaine, ultimately from Latin; see catena

Synonyms for Chain

conglomerate, group, string, alternation, catena, concatenation, continuity, order, progression, row, sequence, set, syndicate, train, trust, consecution