watch chain

noun

a chain, frequently of gold or silver, attached to a pocket watch, serving as an ornament and, when passed through a buttonhole in the vest, as a guard against loss or theft of the watch.

Nearby words

watape, watauga, watch, watch and ward, watch cap, watch chain, watch committee, watch fire, watch guard, watch it, watch like a hawk

Origin of watch chain

First recorded in 1730–40

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for watch chain

The proprietor was leaning against the counter playing with his watch-chain—a short man with a bald head.
The Underdog|F. Hopkinson Smith
Her little gold pencil-case hung with the other toys at her watch-chain.
Armadale|Wilkie Collins
And did you notice, when you spoke to him, that he had a habit of playing with a locket on his watch-chain?
Man and Wife|Wilkie Collins
I want that little ring to hang at my watch-chain, and you can wear this one for my sake.
By Birth a Lady|George Manville Fenn

His watch-chain hangs in a golden arc from one waistcoat pocket to the other.
Egholm and his God|Johannes Buchholtz

British Dictionary definitions for watch chain

watch chain

noun

a chain used for fastening a pocket watch to the clothingSee also fob 1

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

watch chain

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of watch chain

Examples from the Web for watch chain

British Dictionary definitions for watch chain

watch chain

noun