Chain (Noun)
Meaning 1
(chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule).
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Examples
- The polymer was composed of a long chain of repeating carbon and hydrogen atoms.
- The fatty acid molecule consisted of a hydrocarbon chain with a carboxyl group at one end.
- The protein's backbone was formed by a chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.
- The molecule's chain was terminated by a functional group that reacted with other molecules.
- The chain of carbon atoms in the molecule was stabilized by the presence of double bonds.
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Meaning 2
A necklace made by stringing objects together; "a string of beads"; "a strand of pearls".
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Synonyms
Meaning 3
(business) a number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The company owns a chain of boutique hotels across the country, each offering a unique experience for guests.
- The popular restaurant chain has expanded to over 20 locations worldwide, serving its signature dishes to a loyal customer base.
- The retail chain has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years, closing several underperforming stores in an effort to cut costs.
- The bank chain has a strong presence in the region, with branches in nearly every major city and town.
- The movie theater chain has been upgrading its facilities to include state-of-the-art sound and projection systems, enhancing the viewing experience for patrons.
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Anything that acts as a restraint.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- Poverty can be a chain that prevents people from reaching their full potential.
- Fear can be a chain that holds us back from taking risks and trying new things.
- Lack of education can be a chain that restricts a person's career options and future opportunities.
- Bad habits can be a chain that binds us to a cycle of self-destruction.
- Government regulations can be a chain that stifles innovation and limits business growth.
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
A series of things depending on each other as if linked together; "the chain of command"; "a complicated concatenation of circumstances".
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- A long chain of events led to the downfall of the company.
- The food chain in the ocean is crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
- A complex chain of molecular reactions is necessary for the medication to take effect.
- Understanding the chain of cause and effect is essential for problem-solving.
- A weak link in the chain of security can compromise the entire system.
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Meaning 6
A linked or connected series of objects; "a chain of daisies".
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Meaning 7
A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The bicycle's chain was rusty and needed to be replaced.
- She wore a delicate silver chain around her neck with a small pendant.
- The chain on the swing creaked as the children pumped their legs to go higher.
- The prisoner's wrists were bound together with a heavy chain.
- The chain on the door was old and didn't seem very secure.
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Meaning 8
A unit of length.
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.
Examples
- The surveyor measured the distance between the two landmarks in chains to ensure accuracy.
- A chain is equivalent to 66 feet or 20.12 meters, which is a common unit of measurement for land surveys.
- The old map showed the property boundaries marked in chains, which made it difficult for the buyer to visualize the actual size.
- The farmer knew that his field was about three chains wide, but he wasn't sure of the exact length.
- The length of the golf course was measured in chains, which helped the golfers gauge their drives and approach shots.
Hypernyms
Meaning 9
A series of hills or mountains; "the valley was between two ranges of hills"; "the plains lay just beyond the mountain range".
Classification
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made).
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 10
British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- Ernst Boris Chain was a British biochemist who played a crucial role in the development of penicillin as a medicine, breaking the molecular chain of the compound to understand its properties.
- The molecular chain of penicillin was complex, and Chain's work involved isolating and purifying the substance to make it safe for human use.
- Chain's discovery of the molecular chain of penicillin led to the development of new antibiotics, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections.
- The chemical chain reaction that occurred when penicillin was introduced to a bacterial culture was a key area of study for Chain and his team.
- Chain's work on the molecular chain of penicillin was instrumental in understanding how the compound worked, paving the way for its widespread use in medicine.