chain English · revision 4060

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=la catena}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tʃeɪn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|chaene]], cheine, cheyne,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|chaeine|t=chain]], later chaine (modern French chaîne),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002) 12th century,^(Etymonline) from [[la|catēna|t=chain, fetter]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source also of Spanish cadena and Italian catena.^(Etymonline) The Latin word is of unknown or uncertain origin,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) perhaps from *cates-nā,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966) from [[ine-pro|*kat-|t=to twist, twine]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) like Latin cassis “hunting net, snare”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) The verb is from the noun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[catena]], [[concatenate]] and [[chignon]].^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A connected series of links of metal or other material: about 1300,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) probably before 1300 in Kyng Alisaunder.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Chains as fetters are from 1393,^(OED 1989) figuratively a binding or restraining force from about 1374,^(OED 1989) and about 1600 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) A chain worn round the neck as an ornament, or as a badge of office, is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) “Any series of things linked together” is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline) with the ''chain of being'' from before 1593.^(OED 1989) As a measure of length, a chain's length, it is from the 1660s.^(Etymonline) The verb, “to bind with a chain”, is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) before 1376 in Piers Plowman.^(Barnhart 1988) A series of shops owned by one firm is American, from 1846.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The ''chain gang'' is from 1834,^(Barnhart 1988) ''chain mail'' from 1795, before which mail alone sufficed,^(Etymonline) the ''chain letter'' from 1892,^(Etymonline) ''chain of command'' from 1915,^(Etymonline) and ''chain reaction'' from 1916, in nuclear physics from 1938.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – a series of links.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * a. 1376 – verb, to fetter.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1393 – chains, fetters.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1590s – a series of linked things.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1660s – a measure of length.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1846 – a chain of shops.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1892 – ''chain letter''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1916 – ''chain reaction''.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A connected, flexible series of links, usually of [[metal]], used to hold, restrain or transmit power.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Such a series of links worn as an [[ornament]] or as a badge of office.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''chains'' Fetters; bondage.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A series of connected things or events: ''a chain of mountains''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A number of shops, hotels or restaurants owned by one company.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A measuring instrument, or a unit of length of 66 feet.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In chemistry, a series of atoms linked together.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To bind or fasten with a chain.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To restrain or confine as if with chains.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[chainless]]

+ * [[chainlike]]

+ * [[chainman]]

+ * [[chain-smoke]]

+ * [[daisy-chain]]

+ * [[chainage]]

+ * [[chainwheel]]

+ * [[chainwork]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[catena]]

+ * [[concatenate]]

+ * [[chignon]]

+ * [[chain gang]]

+ * [[chain mail]]

+ * [[chain reaction]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}