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door chain

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noun
  1. a short chain with a removable slide fitting that can be attached between the inside of a door and the doorjamb to prevent the door from being opened more than a few inches without the chain being removed.
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Origin of door chain

First recorded in 1830–40
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for door chain

Historical Examples

  • Natasha puts one end of the door-chain to a little hook in the door.

    The Old House and Other Tales

    Feodor Sologub

  • There was but one—the one that had been present when Uncle Mo was adjusting that door-chain.

    When Ghost Meets Ghost

    William Frend De Morgan

  • With something like a shudder she let down the door-chain, unbarred the bolts, and opened the door.