daisy chain

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noun

a string of daisies linked together to form a chain.

such a chain used as a garland or carried on festive days by a group of women college students.

a series of interconnected or related things or events: a daisy chain of legislative delays and stalemates.

Slang. a group sexual activity in which the participants serve as active and passive partners to different people simultaneously.

Commerce. a series of transactions designed to create the appearance of active trading, as in a particular stock, in order to manipulate the price.

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Origin of daisy chain

First recorded in 1835–45

Words nearby daisy chain

dairywoman, dais, daishiki, daisy, daisy bush, daisy chain, daisy-cutter, daisy fleabane, daisy ham, daisy wheel, dak

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use daisy chain in a sentence

You expect soldiers of all ranks to understand the need to respect the chain of command, regardless of personal feelings.
We Need Our Police to Be Better Than This|Nick Gillespie|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Say what you want about Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), the chain has done something special.
Muslims & Jews Unite vs. Abercrombie & Fitch|Dean Obeidallah|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After the scanning takes place, KSM is led down a long corridor flanked by chain-link fences.
9/11 Mastermind Is Afraid of the Ladies|Tim Mak|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Elderly women played Triple Double Diamond and Tiki Magic while they chain-smoked.
I Watched a Casino Kill Itself: The Awful Last Nights of Atlantic City’s Taj Mahal|Olivia Nuzzi|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

So while mourning the closing of De Robertis, consider that we might someday mourn the bankruptcy of whatever chain replaces it.
De Robertis, a New York Great, Bids Farewell|Lizzie Crocker|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She stood, in her young purity, at one end of the chain of years, and Mrs. Chepstow—did she really stand at the other?
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
Then he closed the spring with a snap, and she let him pass the chain over her hand once more.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
You would think the poor teacher would be driven crazy, but he seems as calm as a daisy in a June breeze.
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
From the ceiling, which was divided into compartments painted in dark red and blue, hung a heavy lamp by a chain of gilded silver.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
An amount of slack in the chain caused the balls to knock on passing this roller before entering the pump bottom.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for daisy chain

daisy chain

noun

a garland made, esp by children, by threading daisies together

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with daisy chain

daisy chain

A series of connected events, activities, or experiences. For example, The daisy chain of lectures on art history encompassed the last 200 years. This metaphorical term alludes to a string of the flowers linked together. [Mid-1800s]

A line or circle of three or more persons engaged in simultaneous sexual activity. For example, A high-class call girl, she drew the line at daisy chains. [Vulgar slang; 1920s]

A series of securities transactions intended to give the impression of active trading so as to drive up the price. For example, The SEC is on the alert for unscrupulous brokers who are engaging in daisy chains. [1980s]