chain (ch n)n.1. a. A connected, flexible series of links, typically of metal, used especially for holding objects together or restraining or for transmitting mechanical power. b. Such a set of links, often of precious metal and with pendants attached, worn as an ornament or symbol of office. 2. A restraining or confining agent or force. 3. chainsa. Bonds, fetters, or shackles. b. Captivity or oppression; bondage: threw off the chains of slavery. 4. A series of closely linked or connected things: a chain of coincidences. See Synonyms at series. 5. A number of establishments, such as stores, theaters, or hotels, under common ownership or management. 6. A range of mountains. 7. Chemistry A group of atoms bonded in a spatial configuration like links in a chain. 8. a. An instrument used in surveying, consisting of 100 linked pieces of iron or steel and measuring 66 feet (20.1 meters). Also called Gunter's chain. b. A similar instrument used in engineering, measuring 100 feet (30.5 meters). c. Abbr. ch A unit of measurement equal to the length of either of these instruments. tr.v. chained, chain·ing, chains 1. To bind or make fast with a chain or chains: chained the dog to a tree. 2. To restrain or confine as if with chains: workers who were chained to a life of dull routine. Idiom: pull/yank (someone's) chain To take unfair advantage of someone; deceive or manipulate someone.
[Middle English chaine, from Old French, from Latin cat na.] | chain left to right: figaro, sash, and stud links |
chain Noun 1. a flexible length of metal links, used for fastening, binding, or connecting, or in jewellery 2. chains anything that restricts or restrains someone: bound by the chains of duty 3. a series of connected facts or events 4. a number of establishments, such as hotels or shops, that have the same owner or management 5. Chem a number of atoms or groups bonded together so that the resulting molecule, ion, or radical resembles a chain 6. a row of mountains or islands Verb to restrict, fasten or bind with or as if with a chain: the demonstrators chained themselves to railings [Latin catena]
chain (chn) 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. |
Chain a series of things linked together into a chain, actually or figuratively. See also catena, cordon, series.Examples: chain of buckets; of causes, 1829; of charity, 1377; of deductions, 1664; of discourse, 1651; of events; of human beings; of ideas; of islands; of lakes; of mountains; of proof; of reasoning, 1809; of shops or supermarkets; of spangles, 1841; of storms; of succession, 1655; of thought, 1711.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. |  chain - a series of things depending on each other as if linked together; "the chain of command"; "a complicated concatenation of circumstances"catena - a chain of connected ideas or passages or objects so arranged that each member is closely related to the preceding and following members (especially a series of patristic comments elucidating Christian dogma) daisy chain - (figurative) a series of associated things or people or experiences series - similar things placed in order or happening one after another; "they were investigating a series of bank robberies" | | 2. | chain - (chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)chemical science, chemistry - the science of matter; the branch of the natural sciences dealing with the composition of substances and their properties and reactions closed chain, ring - (chemistry) a chain of atoms in a molecule that forms a closed loop open chain - a chain of atoms in a molecule whose ends are not joined to form a ring building block, unit - a single undivided natural thing occurring in the composition of something else; "units of nucleic acids" molecule - (physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound | | 3. | chain - a series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligamentbicycle chain - a chain that transmits the power from the pedals to the rear wheel of a bicycle chain printer - an impact printer that carries the type slugs by links of a revolving chain chain tongs - a pipe wrench used for turning large pipes; an adjustable chain circles the pipe with its ends connected to the head whose teeth engage the pipe chatelaine - a chain formerly worn at the waist by women; for carrying a purse or bunch of keys etc. ligament - any connection or unifying bond paper chain - a chain made of loops of colored paper; used to decorate a room pull chain - a chain (usually with a handle at the end) that is pulled in order to operate some mechanism (e.g. to flush a toilet) | | 4. | chain - (business) a number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownershipchain store - one of a chain of retail stores under the same management and selling the same merchandise | | 5. | chain - anything that acts as a restraintconstraint, restraint - a device that retards something's motion; "the car did not have proper restraints fitted" | | 6. | chain - a unit of lengthyard, pace - a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride link - a unit of length equal to 1/100 of a chain | | 7. | Chain - British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979) | | 8. |  chain - a series of hills or mountains; "the valley was between two ranges of hills"; "the plains lay just beyond the mountain range"massif - a block of the earth's crust bounded by faults and shifted to form peaks of a mountain range mountain pass, notch, pass - the location in a range of mountains of a geological formation that is lower than the surrounding peaks; "we got through the pass before it started to snow" | | 9. | chain - a linked or connected series of objects; "a chain of daisies"necklace - jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women) | | 10. | chain - a necklace made by a stringing objects together; "a string of beads"; "a strand of pearls";necklace - jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women) | | Verb | 1. | chain - connect or arrange into a chain by linkingarrange, set up - put into a proper or systematic order; "arrange the books on the shelves in chronological order" | | 2. | chain - fasten or secure with chains; "Chain the chairs together"fasten, fix, secure - cause to be firmly attached; "fasten the lock onto the door"; "she fixed her gaze on the man" |
chain
See: net, chain, cell system.
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Respiratory chain
