Chain

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Chain, n. [F. chaîne, fr. L. catena. Cf. Catenate.].

•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "[They] put a chain of gold about his neck."  [1913 Webster]
•  That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit.  [1913 Webster]

  "Driven down
  To chains of darkness and the undying worm."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]
•  An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land.  [1913 Webster]

  " 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."  [1913 Webster]
•  Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.  [1913 Webster]
•  The warp threads of a web.  Knight.  [1913 Webster]

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 (Zoöl.), 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 formulæ 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.

Chain, v. t. 

•  To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog.  [1913 Webster]

  "Chained behind the hostile car."  [1913 Webster]
•  To keep in slavery; to enslave.  [1913 Webster]

  "And which more blest? who chained his country, say
  Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day?"  [1913 Webster]
•  To unite closely and strongly.  [1913 Webster]

  "And in this vow do chain my soul to thine."  [1913 Webster]
•  To measure with the chain.  [1913 Webster]
•  To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Chain, 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).

Idiom

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

THESAURUS

Chain

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

ROGET THESAURUS

Chain

Junction

VB join, unite, conjoin, connect, associate, put together, lay together, clap together, hang together, lump together, hold together, piece together, tack together, fix together, bind up together together, embody, reembody, roll into one, attach, fix, affix, saddle on, fasten, bind, secure, clinch, twist, make fast, tie, pinion, string, strap, sew, lace, tat, stitch, tack, knit, button, buckle, hitch, lash, truss, bandage, braid, splice, swathe, gird, tether, moor, picket, harness, chain, fetter, lock, latch, belay, brace, hook, grapple, leash, couple, accouple, link, yoke, bracket, marry, bridge over, span, braze, pin, nail, bolt, hasp, clasp, clamp, crimp, screw, rivet, impact, solder, set, weld together, fuse together, wedge, rabbet, mortise, miter, jam, dovetail, enchase, graft, ingraft, inosculate, entwine, intwine, interlink, interlace, intertwine, intertwist, interweave, entangle, twine round, belay, tighten, trice up, screw up, be joined, hang together, hold together, cohere.

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.

Prison

N prison, prison house, jail, gaol, cage, coop, den, cell, stronghold, fortress, keep, donjon, dungeon, Bastille, oubliette, bridewell, house of correction, hulks, tollbooth, panopticon, penitentiary, guardroom, lockup, hold, round house, watch house, station house, sponging house, station, house of detention, black hole, pen, fold, pound, inclosure, isolation (exclusion), penal settlement, penal colony, bilboes, stocks, limbo, quod, calaboose, chauki, choky, thana, workhouse, Newgate, Fleet, Marshalsea, King's Bench, Queen's Bench, bond, bandage, irons, pinion, gyve, fetter, shackle, trammel, manacle, handcuff, straight jacket, strait jacket, strait-jacket, strait-waistcoat, hopples, vice, vise, yoke, collar, halter, harness, muzzle, gag, bit, brake, curb, snaffle, bridle, rein, reins, bearing rein, martingale, leading string, tether, picket, band, guy, chain, cord, cavesson, hackamore, headstall, jaquima, lines, ribbons, bolt, deadbolt, bar, lock, police lock, combination lock, padlock, rail, wall, stone wall, paling, palisade, fence, picket fence, barbed wire fence, Cyclone fence, stockade fence, chain-link fence, barrier, barricade, drag.

Jewelry

N jewel, jewelry, jewellery, bijoutry, bijou, bijouterie, trinket, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, junk jewelry, gem, gemstone, precious stone, necklace, bracelet, anklet, earring, locket, pendant, charm bracelet, ring, pinky ring, carcanet, chain, chatelaine, broach, pin, lapel pin, torque, diamond, brilliant, rock, beryl, emerald, chalcedony, agate, heliotrope, girasol, girasole, onyx, plasma, sard, sardonyx, garnet, lapis lazuli, opal, peridot, tourmaline, chrysolite, sapphire, ruby, synthetic ruby, spinel, spinelle, balais, oriental, oriental topaz, turquois, turquoise, zircon, cubic zirconia, jacinth, hyacinth, carbuncle, amethyst, alexandrite, cat's eye, bloodstone, hematite, jasper, moonstone, sunstone, pearl, cultured pearl, fresh-water pearl, mother of pearl, coral, jeweler, gemologist, minerologist, lapidary, lapidarian, gemology, gemmology, minerology, bejeweled, diamond, (gemstones), gemological.

Length

N length, longitude, span, mileage, distance, line, bar, rule, stripe, streak, spoke, radius, lengthening, prolongation, production, protraction, tension, tensure, extension, line, nail, inch, hand, palm, foot, cubit, yard, ell, fathom, rood, pole, furlong, mile, league, chain, link, arpent, handbreadth, jornada, kos, vara, astronomical unit, AU, light- year, parsec, nanometer, nm, micron, micrometer, millimicron, millimeter, mm, centimeter, cm, meter, kilometer, km, pedometer, perambulator, scale, long, longsome, lengthy, wiredrawn, outstretched, lengthened, sesquipedalian, interminable, no end of, macrocolous, linear, lineal, longitudinal, oblong, as long as my arm, as long as today and tomorrow, unshortened &c (shorten), lengthwise, at length, longitudinally, endlong, along, tandem, in a line, in perspective, from end to end, from stem to stern, from head to foot, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, from top to toe, fore and aft.

Crossing

N crossing, intersection, interdigitation, decussation, transversion, convolution, level crossing, reticulation, network, inosculation, anastomosis, intertexture, mortise, net, plexus, web, mesh, twill, skein, sleeve, felt, lace, wicker, mat, matting, plait, trellis, wattle, lattice, grating, grille, gridiron, tracery, fretwork, filigree, reticle, tissue, netting, mokes, rivulation, cross, chain, wreath, braid, cat's cradle, knot, entangle, cloth, linen, muslin, cambric, crossing, crossed, matted, v, transverse, cross, cruciform, crucial, retiform, reticular, reticulated, areolar, cancellated, grated, barred, streaked, textile, crossbarred, cruciate, palmiped, secant, web-footed, cross, thwart, athwart, transversely, at grade, crosswise.