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.
Often chains.something that binds or restrains; bond: the chain of timidity; the chains of loyalty.
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.
a series of things connected or following in succession: a chain of events.
a range of mountains.
a number of similar establishments, as banks, theaters, or hotels, under one ownership or management.
Chemistry. two or more atoms of the same element, usually carbon, attached as in a chain.Compare ring1(def 17).
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
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
Gunter's chain
noun
surveyinga measuring chain 22 yards in length, or this length as a unitSee chain (def. 7)
Word Origin for Gunter's chain
C17: named after Edmund Gunter (1581–1626), English mathematician and astronomer
chain
noun
a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery
(usually plural)anything that confines, fetters, or restrainsthe chains of poverty
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
a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management
(as modifier)a chain store
a series of related or connected facts, events, etc
a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy
(of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premiseSee (as an example) sorites
Also called: Gunter's chaina unit of length equal to 22 yards
Also called: engineer's chaina unit of length equal to 100 feet
chemtwo or more atoms or groups bonded together so that the configuration of the resulting molecule, ion, or radical resembles a chainSee also open chain, ring 1 (def. 18)
geographya series of natural features, esp approximately parallel mountain ranges
off the chainAustralian and NZinformalfree from responsibility
jerk someone's chainoryank someone's chaininformalto tease, mislead, or harass someone
verb
surveyingto measure with a chain or tape
(tr often foll by up) to confine, tie, or make fast with or as if with a chain
to sew using chain stitch
Word Origin for chain
C13: from Old French chaine, ultimately from Latin; see catena
late 14c., "to bar with a chain; to put (someone) in chains," also "to link things together," from chain (n.). Related: Chained; chaining.
chain
n.
c.1300, from Old French chaeine "chain" (12c., Modern French chaîne), from Latin catena "chain" (source also of Spanish cadena, Italian catena), of unknown origin, perhaps from PIE root *kat- "to twist, twine" (cf. Latin cassis "hunting net, snare").
Figurative use from c.1600. As a type of ornament worn about the neck, from late 14c. Chain of stores is American English, 1846. Chain gang is from 1834; chain reaction is from 1916 in physics, specific nuclear physics sense is from 1938; chain mail first recorded 1822, in Scott, from mail (n.2). Before that, mail alone sufficed. Chain letter recorded from 1892; usually to raise money at first; decried from the start as a nuisance.
Nine out of every ten givers are reluctant and unwilling, and are coerced into giving through the awful fear of "breaking the chain," so that the spirit of charity is woefully absent. ["St. Nicholas" magazine, vol. XXVI, April 1899]
Chain smoker is attested from 1886, originally of Bismarck (who smoked cigars), thus probably a loan-translation of German Kettenraucher. Chain-smoking is from 1930.
A group of atoms, often of the same element, bound together in a line, branched line, or ring to form a molecule.♦ In a straight chain, each of the constituent atoms is attached to other single atoms, not to groups of atoms.♦ In a branched chain, side groups are attached to the chain.♦ In a closed chain, the atoms are arranged in the shape of a ring.
