English Dictionary
Definition of “chain”
chain (tʃeɪn
)
Definitions
noun
- a flexible length of metal links, used for confining, connecting, pulling, etc, or in jewellery
- (usually plural) anything that confines, fetters, or restrains ⇒
the chains of poverty
- snow chains(usually plural) a set of metal links that fit over the tyre of a motor vehicle to increase traction and reduce skidding on an icy surface
- a number of establishments such as hotels, shops, etc, having the same owner or management
- ((as modifier) ⇒
a chain store
- a series of related or connected facts, events, etc
- a series of deals in which each depends on a purchaser selling before being able to buy
- (of reasoning) a sequence of arguments each of which takes the conclusion of the preceding as a premise See (as an example) sorites
- Gunter's chaina unit of length equal to 22 yards
- engineer's chaina unit of length equal to 100 feet
- chemistry two or more atoms or groups bonded together so that the configuration of the resulting molecule, ion, or radical resembles a chain See also open chain
, ring1 (sense 18)
- geography a series of natural features, esp approximately parallel mountain ranges
- See off the chain
- See jerk someone's chain
verb
- surveying to measure with a chain or tape
- (tr) up to confine, tie, or make fast with or as if with a chain
- to sew using chain stitch
Word Origin
C13: from Old French chaine, ultimately from Latin; see catena
Chain (tʃeɪn)
Definitions
noun
- Sir Ernst Boris. 1906–79, British biochemist, born in Germany: purified and adapted penicillin for clinical use; with Fleming and Florey shared the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine 1945
Translations
- British English:
chain
A chain consists of metal rings connected together in a line.He wore a gold chain around his neck.tʃeɪn NOUN He wore a gold chain around his neck.
- Spanish:
cadena
nf
- French:
chaîne
nf
- German:
Kette
nf
- Chinese: 链 n
- Arabic: سِلْسِلَة n
- Portuguese: corrente nf
- Russian: цепь nf
- Croatian: lanac nm
- Czech: řetěz nm
- Danish: kæde nutr
- Dutch: ketting n
- Finnish: ketju n
- Greek: αλυσίδα nf
- Italian: catena nf
- Japanese: 鎖 n
- Korean: 사슬 n
- Norwegian: kjede nnt
- Polish: łańcuch nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: corrente nf
- European Spanish:
cadena
nf
- Swedish: kedja nutr
- Thai: โซ่ n
- Turkish: zincir n
- Vietnamese: xích n
Usage examples
No examples available.
