Adjacent Words

Chain definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CHAIN, n.
1. A series of links or rings connected, or fitted into one another, usually made of some kind of metal, as a chain of gold, or of iron; but the word is not restricted to any particular kind of material. It is used often for an ornament about the person.
2. That which binds; a real chain; that which restrains, confines, or fetters; a bond.
If God spared not the angels that sinned, but delivered them into chains of darkness. 2 Peter 2.
3. Bondage; affliction.
He hath made my chain heavy. Lamentations 3.
4. Bondage; slavery.
In despotism the people sleep soundly in their chains.
5. Ornament. Prov
1:9.
6. A series of things linked together; a series of things connected or following in succession; as a chain of causes, of ideas, or events; a chain of being.
7. A range, or line of things connected, as a chain of mountains.
8. A series of links, forming an instrument to measure land.
9. A string of twisted wire, or something similar, to hang a watch on, and for other purposes.
10. In France, a measure of wood for fuel, and various commodities, of various length.
11. In ship-building, chains are strong links or plates of iron, bolted at the lower end to the ships side, used to contain the blocks called dead eyes, by which the shrouds of the mast are extended.
12. The warp in weaving, as in French.
Chain-;ump. This consists of a long chain, equipped with a sufficient number of valves, moving on two wheels, one above the other below, passing downward through a wooden tube and returning through another. It is managed by a long winch, on which several men may be employed at once.
Chain-shot, two balls connected by a chain, and used to cut down masts, or cut away shrouds and rigging.
Chain-wales of a ship, broad and thick planks projecting from a ships side, abreast of and behind the masts, for the purpose of extending the shrouds, for better supporting the masts, and preventing the shrouds from damaging the gunwale.
Chain-work, work consisting of threads, cords and the like, linked together in the form of a chain; as lineal chaining or tambour work, reticulation or net work, etc.
Top-chain, on board a ship, a chain to sling the sail-yards in time of battle, to prevent their falling, when the ropes that support them are shot away.
CHAIN, v.t.
1. To fasten, bind or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind with any thing in the manner of a chain.
2. To enslave; to keep in slavery.
And which more blest? Who chaind his country, say
Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day?
3. To guard with a chain, as a harbor or passage.
4. To unite; to form chain-work.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a series of things depending on each other as if linked together; "the chain of command"; "a complicated concatenation of circumstances" [syn: chain, concatenation]
2: (chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule) [syn: chain, chemical chain]
3: a series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament
4: (business) a number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership
5: anything that acts as a restraint
6: a unit of length
7: British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979) [syn: Chain, Ernst Boris Chain, Sir Ernst Boris Chain]
8: a series of hills or mountains; "the valley was between two ranges of hills"; "the plains lay just beyond the mountain range" [syn: range, mountain range, range of mountains, chain, mountain chain, chain of mountains]
9: a linked or connected series of objects; "a chain of daisies"
10: a necklace made by a stringing objects together; "a string of beads"; "a strand of pearls"; [syn: chain, string, strand] v
1: connect or arrange into a chain by linking
2: fasten or secure with chains; "Chain the chairs together" [ant: unchain]

Merriam Webster's

biographical name Ernst Boris 1906-1979 British (German-born) biochemist

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English cheyne, from Anglo-French chaene, from Latin catena Date: 14th century 1. a. a series of usually metal links or rings connected to or fitted into one another and used for various purposes (as support, restraint, transmission of mechanical power, or measurement) b. a series of links used or worn as an ornament or insignia c. (1) a measuring instrument of 100 links used in surveying (2) a unit of length equal to 66 feet (about 20 meters) 2. something that confines, restrains, or secures 3. a. a series of things linked, connected, or associated together <a chain of events> <a mountain chain> b. a group of enterprises or institutions of the same kind or function usually under a single ownership, management, or control <fast-food chains> c. a number of atoms or chemical groups united like links in a chain II. transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. to obstruct or protect by a chain 2. to fasten, bind, or connect with or as if with a chain; also fetter

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a a connected flexible series of esp. metal links as decoration or for a practical purpose. b something resembling this (formed a human chain). 2 (in pl.) a fetters used to confine prisoners. b any restraining force. 3 a sequence, series, or set (chain of events; mountain chain). 4 a group of associated hotels, shops, newspapers, etc. 5 a badge of office in the form of a chain worn round the neck (mayoral chain). 6 a a jointed measuring-line consisting of linked metal rods. b its length (66 ft.). 7 Chem. a group of (esp. carbon) atoms bonded in sequence in a molecule. 8 a figure in a quadrille or similar dance. 9 (in pl.) Naut. channels (see CHANNEL(2)). 10 (also chain-shot) hist. two cannon-balls or half balls joined by a chain and used in sea battles for bringing down a mast etc. --v.tr. 1 (often foll. by up) secure or confine with a chain. 2 confine or restrict (a person) (is chained to the office). Phrases and idioms: chain-armour armour made of interlaced rings. chain bridge a suspension bridge on chains. chain drive a system of transmission by endless chains. chain-gang a team of convicts chained together and forced to work in the open air. chain-gear a gear transmitting motion by means of an endless chain. chain-letter one of a sequence of letters the recipient of which is requested to send copies to a specific number of other people. chain-link made of wire in a diamond-shaped mesh (chain-link fencing). chain-mail = chain-armour. chain reaction 1 Physics a self-sustaining nuclear reaction, esp. one in which a neutron from a fission reaction initiates a series of these reactions. 2 Chem. a self-sustaining molecular reaction in which intermediate products initiate further reactions. 3 a series of events, each caused by the previous one. chain-saw a motor-driven saw with teeth on an endless chain. chain-smoker a person who smokes continually, esp. one who lights a cigarette etc. from the stub of the last one smoked. chain-stitch an ornamental embroidery or crochet stitch resembling chains. chain store one of a series of shops owned by one firm and selling the same sort of goods. chain-wale = CHANNEL(2). chain-wheel a wheel transmitting power by a chain fitted to its edges. Etymology: ME f. OF cha(e)ine f. L catena

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Pattern box, chain, or cylinder (Figure Weaving), devices, in a loom, for presenting several shuttles to the picker in the proper succession for forming the figure. Pattern card. (a) A set of samples on a card. (b) (Weaving) One of the perforated cards in a Jacquard apparatus. Pattern reader, one who arranges textile patterns. Pattern wheel (Horology), a count-wheel.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Chain Chain, n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. Catenate.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc. [They] put a chain of gold about his neck. --Dan. v. 29. 2. That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit. Driven down To chains of darkness and the undying worm. --Milton. 3. A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas. 4. (Surv.) An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land. Note: One commonly in use is Gunter's chain, which consists of one hundred links, each link being seven inches and ninety-two one hundredths in length; making up the total length of rods, or sixty-six, feet; hence, a measure of that length; hence, also, a unit for land measure equal to four rods square, or one tenth of an acre. 5. pl. (Naut.) Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels. 6. (Weaving) The warp threads of a web. --Knight. Chain belt (Mach.), a belt made of a chain; -- used for transmitting power. Chain boat, a boat fitted up for recovering lost cables, anchors, etc. Chain bolt (a) (Naut.) The bolt at the lower end of the chain plate, which fastens it to the vessel's side. (b) A bolt with a chain attached for drawing it out of position. Chain bond. See Chain timber. Chain bridge, a bridge supported by chain cables; a suspension bridge. Chain cable, a cable made of iron links. Chain coral (Zo["o]l.), a fossil coral of the genus Halysites, common in the middle and upper Silurian rocks. The tubular corallites are united side by side in groups, looking in an end view like links of a chain. When perfect, the calicles show twelve septa. Chain coupling. (a) A shackle for uniting lengths of chain, or connecting a chain with an object. (b) (Railroad) Supplementary coupling together of cars with a chain. Chain gang, a gang of convicts chained together. Chain hook (Naut.), a hook, used for dragging cables about the deck. Chain mail, flexible, defensive armor of hammered metal links wrought into the form of a garment. Chain molding (Arch.), a form of molding in imitation of a chain, used in the Normal style. Chain pier, a pier suspended by chain. Chain pipe (Naut.), an opening in the deck, lined with iron, through which the cable is passed into the lockers or tiers. Chain plate (Shipbuilding), one of the iron plates or bands, on a vessel's side, to which the standing rigging is fastened. Chain pulley, a pulley with depressions in the periphery of its wheel, or projections from it, made to fit the links of a chain. Chain pumps. See in the Vocabulary. Chain rule (Arith.), a theorem for solving numerical problems by composition of ratios, or compound proportion, by which, when several ratios of equality are given, the consequent of each being the same as the antecedent of the next, the relation between the first antecedent and the last consequent is discovered. Chain shot (Mil.), two cannon balls united by a shot chain, formerly used in naval warfare on account of their destructive effect on a ship's rigging. Chain stitch. See in the Vocabulary. Chain timber. (Arch.) See Bond timber, under Bond. Chain wales. (Naut.) Same as Channels. Chain wheel. See in the Vocabulary. Closed chain, Open chain (Chem.), terms applied to the chemical structure of compounds whose rational formul[ae] are written respectively in the form of a closed ring (see Benzene nucleus, under Benzene), or in an open extended form. Endless chain, a chain whose ends have been united by a link.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Chain Chain, v. t. [imp. p. p. Chained (ch[=a]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Chaining.] 1. To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog. Chained behind the hostile car. --Prior. 2. To keep in slavery; to enslave. And which more blest? who chained his country, say Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day? --Pope. 3. To unite closely and strongly. And in this vow do chain my soul to thine. --Shak. 4. (Surveying) To measure with the chain. 5. To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(chains, chaining, chained) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A chain consists of metal rings connected together in a line. His open shirt revealed a fat gold chain... The dogs were leaping and growling at the full stretch of their chains. N-COUNT 2. If prisoners are in chains, they have thick rings of metal round their wrists or ankles to prevent them from escaping. He'd spent four and a half years in windowless cells, much of the time in chains. N-PLURAL: in N 3. If a person or thing is chained to something, they are fastened to it with a chain. The dog was chained to the leg of the one solid garden seat... She chained her bike to the railings... We were sitting together in our cell, chained to the wall. VERB: be V-ed to n, V n to n, V-ed, also V n adv/prep • Chain up means the same as chain. I'll lock the doors and chain you up... All the rowing boats were chained up. PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V-ed P, also V P n (not pron) 4. A chain of things is a group of them existing or arranged in a line. ...a chain of islands known as the Windward Islands... Students tried to form a human chain around the parliament. N-COUNT: N of n 5. A chain of shops, hotels, or other businesses is a number of them owned by the same person or company. ...a large supermarket chain. ...Italy's leading chain of cinemas. N-COUNT: with supp 6. A chain of events is a series of them happening one after another. ...the bizarre chain of events that led to his departure in January 1938. = series N-SING: N of n 7. see also food chain

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) A part of the insignia of office. A chain of gold was placed about Joseph's neck (Gen. 41:42); and one was promised to Daniel (5:7). It is used as a symbol of sovereignty (Ezek. 16:11). The breast-plate of the high-priest was fastened to the ephod by golden chains (Ex. 39:17, 21).

(2.) It was used as an ornament (Prov. 1:9; Cant. 1:10). The Midianites adorned the necks of their camels with chains (Judg. 8:21, 26).

(3.) Chains were also used as fetters wherewith prisoners were bound (Judg. 16:21; 2 Sam. 3:34; 2 Kings 25:7; Jer. 39:7). Paul was in this manner bound to a Roman soldier (Acts 28:20; Eph. 6:20; 2 Tim. 1:16). Sometimes, for the sake of greater security, the prisoner was attached by two chains to two soldiers, as in the case of Peter (Acts 12:6).

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Fetter, manacle, shackle, bond. 2. Connected series, succession, congeries. II. v. a. 1. Fasten with a chain. 2. Confine, restrain, fetter, shackle, trammel. 3. Enslave, hold in bondage.

Moby Thesaurus

Alps, Andes, Caucasus, Himalayas, Indian file, Kekule formula, Oregon boat, Rockies, accouple, accumulate, accumulative, additive, additory, agglutinate, alps on alps, alternation, amass, anchor, andiron, anklet, armlet, armory, array, arrest, articulate, articulation, assemble, associate, atomic cluster, badge, badge of office, badges, band, bandage, bangle, bank, baton, batten, batten down, be continuous, beads, bearing rein, belay, belt, bend, benzene ring, bijou, bilbo, bind, bind up, bit, blazonry, bond, bonds, brace, bracelet, bracket, brake, branched chain, brassard, breastpin, bridge, bridge over, bridle, brooch, bundle, button, buzz, camisole, cap and gown, cartel, catena, catenate, catenation, cement, chain of office, chain reaction, chaining, chains, chaplet, charm, chatelaine, check, checkrein, chock, cinch, circle, clap together, class ring, cliched, clog, closed chain, coal tongs, cockade, collar, collect, combination, combine, commonplace, compound radical, comprise, concatenate, concatenation, confine, confinement, conglobulate, conglomerate, conjoin, conjugate, connect, connect up, connection, consecution, continuate, continue, continuum, control, copulate, cordillera, coronet, countercheck, couple, course, cover, crane, crook, cross, crown, cuffs, curb, curb bit, cycle, damper, decoration, descent, diadem, do up, doorstop, drag, drag sail, dress, drift anchor, drift sail, drogue, drone, eagle, earring, emblems, embrace, enchain, encompass, endless belt, endless round, ensigns, entrammel, fasces, fasten, fasten down, fetter, fetters, figurehead, file, filiation, fire hook, fire tongs, firedog, fleur-de-lis, fob, form a series, gag, gamut, gather, gem, gird, girdle, girt, girth, glue, gradation, grate, grating, grid, griddle, gridiron, grill, griller, group, gyve, gyves, hackneyed, halter, hammer and sickle, hamper, handcuff, handcuffs, heraldry, heterocycle, hobble, hobbles, hog-tie, holdback, homocycle, hopple, hopples, hum, include, insignia, irons, jewel, join, knot, lace, lapel pin, lash, lattice, lay together, leading strings, league, leash, lifter, limit, line, lineage, link, livery, locket, lump together, mace, maintain continuity, make fast, make secure, make sure, manacle, mantle, markings, marry, marshal, martingale, mass, massif, medal, merge, mobilize, molecule, monotone, moor, mortarboard, mountain range, muzzle, necklace, nexus, nose ring, old hat, old school tie, order, pair, peg down, pelham, pendulum, periodicity, picket, piece together, pillory, pin, pin down, pinion, plenum, poker, pool, pothook, powder train, precious stone, progression, put in irons, put together, queue, radical, range, rank, recurrence, regalia, reins, restrain, restraint, restraints, restrict, reticulation, rhinestone, ring, roll into one, rope, rose, rotation, round, routine, row, run, run on, salamander, scale, school ring, scotch, sea anchor, secure, sequence, series, set, shackle, shamrock, shopworn, side chain, sierra, sigillography, simple radical, single file, skull and crossbones, snaffle, solder, space-lattice, span, spectrum, sphragistics, spit, splice, spoke, staff, stale, stay, stereotyped, stick together, stickpin, stocks, stone, stop, straight chain, straightjacket, strait-waistcoat, straitjacket, stranglehold, strap, string, string together, succession, summative, swaddle, swastika, swath, swathe, take in, tape, tartan, tether, thistle, thread, tiara, tie, tie down, tie up, tier, tongs, torque, train, trammel, trammels, tripod, trivet, truss, trust, turnspit, twice-told, uniform, unify, unite, verge, wampum, wand, weld, windrow, wire, wrap, wrap up, wristband, wristlet, yoke