chain

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

[edit] English

Wikipedia has an article on:

Wikipedia

A metal chain
A chain of daisies
Molecular chain for acrylic

[edit] Etymology

From Old French chaeine (French: chaîne), from Latin catena.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
chain

Plural
chains

chain (plural chains)

  1. A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.
    He wore a gold chain around the neck.
  2. A series of interconnected things.
    This led to an unfortunate chain of events.
  3. A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.
    That chain of restaurants is expanding into our town.
  4. A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.
    When examined, the molecular chain included oxygen and hydrogen.
  5. (surveying) A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.
  6. (surveying) A long measuring tape.
  7. A unit of length equal to 22 yards. The length of a commonly used surveying chain. The length of a cricket pitch. Equal to 17.85 metres. Equal to 4 rods.
  8. (British) A sequence of linked house purchases, each of which is dependent on the preceding and succeeding purchase (said to be "broken" if a buyer or seller pulls out).

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to chain

Third person singular
chains

Simple past
chained

Past participle
chained

Present participle
chaining

to chain (third-person singular simple present chains, present participle chaining, simple past and past participle chained)

  1. (transitive) To fasten something with a chain
  2. (intransitive) To link multiple items together
  3. (transitive) To secure someone with fetters
  4. (transitive) To obstruct the mouth of a river etc with a chain
  5. (computing) To relate data items with a chain of pointers; to be chained to another data item
  6. (transitive) To measure a distance using a 66-foot long chain, as in land surveying

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Personal tools