chains

Chain  (chn), Sir Ernst Boris 1906-1979.

German-born British biochemist. He isolated and purified penicillin; for this achievement he shared a 1945 Nobel Prize with Sir Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin in 1928.

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chain  (chn) 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. chains a. 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 catna.]

chain left to right: figaro, sash, and stud links

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

chains - metal shackles; for hands or legs irons hamper, shackle, trammel, bond - a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner) plural, plural form - the form of a word that is used to denote more than one