| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| chain |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  ch n |
| NOUN: | 1a. 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. 8a. 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. | | TRANSITIVE VERB: | Inflected forms: 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 (or yank) (someone's) chain To take unfair advantage of someone; deceive or manipulate someone. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English chaine, from Old French, from Latin cat na.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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