Gunter's chain

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noun

See under chain (def. 8a).

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Origin of Gunter's chain

First recorded in 1670–80; named after its inventor, Edmund Gunter

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

How to use Gunter's 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
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
The large size of the rag-wheel gave the rapidly revolving chain and balls a great speed.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for Gunter's chain

Gunter's chain

noun

surveying a 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

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