a series of objects connected one after the other, usually in the form of a series of metal rings passing through one another, used either for various purposes requiring a flexible tie with high tensile strength, as for hauling, supporting, or confining, or in various ornamental and decorative forms.

Often, chains. something that binds or restrains; bond

the chain of timidity; the chains of loyalty.

chains,

shackles or fetters

to place a prisoner in chains.

bondage; servitude

to live one's life in chains.

Nautical . (in a sailing vessel) the area outboard at the foot of the shrouds of a mast

the customary position of the leadsman in taking soundings.

tire chain.

a series of things connected or following in succession

a chain of events.

a range of mountains.

a number of similar establishments, as banks, theaters, or hotels, under one ownership or management.

Chemistry . two or more atoms of the same element, usually carbon, attached as in a chain. Compare ring 1 ( def. 17 ) .

Surveying, Civil Engineering .

a distance-measuring device consisting of a chain of 100 links of equal length, having a total length either of 66 ft. (20 m) (Gunter's chain or surveyor's chain) or of 100 ft. (30 m) (engineer's chain).

a unit of length equal to either of these.

a graduated steel tape used for distance measurements. Abbreviation

ch

Mathematics . totally ordered set.

Football . a chain 10 yd. (9 m) in length for determining whether a first down has been earned.

to fasten or secure with a chain

to chain a dog to a post.

to confine or restrain

His work chained him to his desk.

Surveying . to measure (a distance on the ground) with a chain or tape.

Computers . to link (related items, as records in a file or portions of a program) together, esp. so that items can be run in sequence.

to make (a chain stitch or series of chain stitches), as in crocheting.

to form or make a chain. ?

drag the chain

Australian Slang . to lag behind or shirk one's fair share of work.

in the chains

Nautical . standing outboard on the channels or in some similar place to heave the lead to take soundings.

noun

alternation , catena , concatenation , conglomerate , consecution , continuity , group , order , progression , row , sequence , set , string , syndicate , train , trust , bond , bracelet , cable , clinker , connection , coupling , fetter , iron , lavaliere , link , locket , manacle , pendant , shackle , trammel , handcuff , hobble , restraint , course , procession , round , run , succession , suite , carcanet , catenation , chain , chatelaine , congeries , crosspiece , fetters , gorget , guy , links , manacles , necklace , peg , rope , series , shackles , tether , toggle , torque , vinculum

verb

attach , bind , confine , connect , enslave , fetter , handcuff , hold , moor , restrain , shackle , tether , tie up , trammel , hamstring , hobble , leash , manacle , tie , bond , bracelet , cable , catenate , chain mail , chatelaine , collar , constrain , embrace , fasten , file , gang , iron , join , link , network , saw , secure , sequence , series , set , string , train