Chain
WordNet
noun
(1) A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament
(2) A necklace made by a stringing objects together
"A string of beads"
"A strand of pearls";
(3) Anything that acts as a restraint
(4) A number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership
(5) A series of things depending on each other as if linked together
"The chain of command"
"A complicated concatenation of circumstances"
(6) (chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)
(7) A series of hills or mountains
"The valley was between two ranges of hills"
"The plains lay just beyond the mountain range"
(8) British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979)
(9) A unit of length
verb
(10) Fasten or secure with chains
"Chain the chairs together"
(11) Connect or arrange into a chain by linking
WiktionaryText
English
Etymology
From chaeine (French: chaîne), from catena.
Noun
- A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.
- He wore a gold chain around the neck.
- A series of interconnected things.
- This led to an unfortunate chain of events.
- A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.
- That chain of restaurants is expanding into our town.
- A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.
- When examined, the molecular chain included oxygen and hydrogen.
- A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.
- A long measuring tape.
- 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.
- 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).