chain

Definitions

• A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.
• A series of interconnected things.
• A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.
• (chemistry) A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.
• (surveying) A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.
• (surveying) A long measuring tape.
• A unit of length equal to 22 yards. The length of a Gunter's surveying chain. The length of a cricket pitch. Equal to 20.12 metres, 4 rods, or 100 links.
• (mathematics) A totally ordered set, especially a totally ordered subset of a poset.
• (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 pull pulls out).
• That which confines, fetters, or secures; a bond.
• (nautical) Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.
• (weaving) The warp threads of a web.