chain

¹

[ cheyn ]

noun

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,
   1. shackles or fetters:

      to place a prisoner in chains.

   2. bondage; servitude:

      to live one's life in chains.

   3. 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.
   4. tire chain.
4. a series of things connected or following in succession:

   a chain of events.

   Synonyms: set, train, succession, sequence

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 ring ¹( def 17 ).
8. Surveying, Civil Engineering.
   1. 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.
   2. a unit of length equal to either of these.
   3. a graduated steel tape used for distance measurements. : 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.

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or secure with a chain:

   to chain a dog to a post.

2. to confine or restrain:

   His work chained him to his desk.

3. Surveying. to measure (a distance on the ground) with a chain or tape.
4. 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.
5. to make (a chain stitch or series of chain stitches), as in crocheting.

verb (used without object)

1. to form or make a chain.

Chain

²

[ cheyn ]

noun

1. Sir Ernst Boris [urnst, ernst], 1906–79, English biochemist, born in Germany: Nobel Prize in Medicine 1945.

chain

¹

/ tʃeɪn /

noun

1. a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery
2. usually plural anything that confines, fetters, or restrains

   the chains of poverty

3. Also calledsnow 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
4. 1. a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management
   2. ( as modifier )

      a chain store

5. a series of related or connected facts, events, etc
6. a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy
7. (of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premise See (as an example) sorites
8. Also calledGunter's chain a unit of length equal to 22 yards
9. Also calledengineer's chain a unit of length equal to 100 feet
10. 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
11. geography a series of natural features, esp approximately parallel mountain ranges
12. off the chain informal.
    free from responsibility
13. jerk someone's chain or yank someone's chain informal.
    to tease, mislead, or harass someone

verb

1. surveying to measure with a chain or tape
2. troften foll byup to confine, tie, or make fast with or as if with a chain
3. to sew using chain stitch

Chain

²

/ tʃeɪn /

noun

1. ChainSir Ernst Boris19061979MBritishGermanSCIENCE: chemist 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

chain

¹

/ chān /

1. A group of atoms, often of the same element, bound together in a line, branched line, or ring to form a molecule.
2. ◆ In a straight chain , each of the constituent atoms is attached to other single atoms, not to groups of atoms.
3. ◆ In a branched chain , side groups are attached to the chain.
4. ◆ In a closed chain , the atoms are arranged in the shape of a ring.

Chain

²

1. German-born British bacteriologist who, with Howard Florey, developed and purified penicillin in 1939. For this work, they shared a 1945 Nobel Prize with Alexander Fleming, who first discovered the antibiotic in 1928.

Other Words From

• chainless adjective
• chainlike adjective
• inter·chain verb (used with object)
• un·chained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chain¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English chayne, from Old French chaeine, from Latin catēna “fetter”; catena

Word History and Origins

Origin of chain¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. drag the chain, Australian Slang. to lag behind or shirk one's fair share of work.
2. in the chains, Nautical. standing outboard on the channels or in some similar place to heave the lead to take soundings.

More idioms and phrases containing chain

• ball and chain
• pull someone's chain

Example Sentences

But these changes present a huge challenge in a sugar supply chain spanning more than 100 countries and the millions of people that depend on sugar's income.

From Salon

"I would expect them to be surgical in nature," says Brandon Daniels, CEO at Exiger, a risk and compliance firm specializing in areas such as supply chains.

From Salon

This sets off a chain reaction of events culminating in the creation of a “polar vortex” with more extreme cold, storminess and snow.

From Salon

Lidl is the fastest-growing supermarket chain in the UK this year but, like other retailers, it is now having to deal with the impact of the Budget.

From BBC

Fresh Brothers, the Southern California pizza chain, will expand into a national brand after being acquired this week by a Chicago-based company.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conglomerate
• group
• string