chain
English meaning: Chain
Definition
A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.
Example
“He wore a gold chain around the neck.”
Another example: “The restaurant is part of a national chain with hundreds of branches.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun and verb with several senses: linked metal rings ('a gold chain', 'chain of mountains'), a group of shops/restaurants under one brand ('a hotel chain'), or a sequence ('chain of events'). As a verb, to fasten with chains.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'chaeine', from Latin 'catena' ('chain, fetter'), from the 13th century.
Synonyms
Antonyms / Opposites
- unchain
Related Words
Common Collocations
- chain of events
- food chain
- supply chain
- chain store
- chain reaction
- ball and chain
Word Forms
chain (n); chains (pl); chain (v); chained; chaining
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B