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chain definition

chain (c̸hān)

noun

  1. a flexible series of joined links, usually of metal, used to pull, confine, etc. or to transmit power
  2. tire chain
    1. bonds, shackles, etc.
    2. anything that binds, ties, or restrains chains of love
    3. captivity; bondage
  4. any chainlike ornament, badge, etc.
  5. a chainlike measuring instrument, or its measure of length; specif.,
    1. a surveyor's (or Gunter's) chain (66 feet or 20.117 meters or 100 links)
    2. an engineer's chain (100 feet or 30.48 meters or 100 links)
    3. Football a chain 10 yards in length, used to measure for a first down
      often the chains
  6. a series of things connected causally, logically, physically, etc. chain of events, mountain chain
  7. ☆ a number of stores, restaurants, etc. owned by one company
  8. Chem. a linkage of atoms in a molecule

Etymology: ME & OFr chaine < L catena < IE base *kat-, to twist, twine > prob. OE heathor, confinement

transitive verb

  1. to fasten or shackle with chains
  2. to hold down, restrain, confine, etc.
Chain definition

Chain (c̸hān)

Chain, Ernst Boris 1906-79; Brit. biochemist, born in Germany

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms chain idiom

medical chain definition - medical

chain Synonyms

chain

n.

  1. A series of links

    cable, string, link(s), train, connection, necklace, bracelet, ring series, leash, shackle, manacle.

  2. A sequence

    succession, series, string, concatenation; see series. See syn. study at series.


chain

v.

  1. To fasten

    connect, attach, secure, tether; see fasten 1, hold 1.

  2. To bind

    shackle, fetter, tie up, confine; see bind 1, hold 1, restrain 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

chain Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • causation: There is no break in the chain of causation.

Converse of object

  • subcontract: It will place limits on the quantity of work that can be contracted out, and will prohibit subcontracting chains.

Adjective modifier

  • onward: Another advantage is that there is no onward chain.

Modifies a noun

  • reaction: Controls: Left Click on a molecule to start the chain reaction.

Noun used with modifier

  • supply: The food supply chain should decrease its reliance on non-renewable energy.
chain usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

chain quotes

Any old iron, any old iron, Anyany old old iron? You look neat Talk about a treat, You look dapper from your napper to your feet. Dressed in style, brand new tile, And your father's old green tie on, But I wouldn't give you tuppence for your old watch chain; Old iron, old iron?

-Collins, Charles

'Youarefettered,'said Scrooge, trembling.'Tell mewhy?' 'I wear the chain I forged in life,'replied the Ghost.'I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it.'

-Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

In sculpture, did ever anybody call the Apollo a fancy piece? Or say of the Laocoo«  n how it might be made different? A masterpiece of art has in the mind a fixed place in the chain of being, as much as a plant or a crystal.

-Emerson, RalphWaldo

chain quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"chain." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/chain>

APA Style

chain. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/chain

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