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chain
chain
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
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2009
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© The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information)
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chain
/ chān/
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n.
1.
a connected flexible series of metal links used for fastening or securing objects and pulling or supporting loads.
∎ (chains)
such a series of links, or a set of them, used to confine a prisoner:
kept in chains.
∎
such a series of links worn as a decoration; a necklace.
∎ chiefly Brit.
such a series of links worn as a badge of office.
∎ (chains) fig.
a force or factor that binds or restricts someone:
the chains of illness.
∎ (chains) short for snow chains.
2.
a sequence of items of the same type forming a line:
he kept the chain of buckets supplied with water.
∎
a sequence or series of connected elements:
a chain of events.
∎
a group of establishments, such as hotels, stores, or restaurants, owned by the same company:
the nation's largest hotel chain.
∎
a range of mountains.
∎
a part of a molecule consisting of a number of atoms (typically carbon) bonded together in a linear sequence.
∎
a figure in a quadrille or similar dance, in which dancers meet and pass each other in a continuous sequence.
3.
a jointed measuring line consisting of linked metal rods.
∎
the length of such a measuring line (66 ft.).
∎
Football
a measuring chain of ten yards, used in the determination of first downs.
4.
(chains)
a structure of planks projecting horizontally from a sailing ship's sides abreast of the masts, used to widen the basis for the shrouds.
[ORIGIN: formed earlier of iron plates.]
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v. [tr.]
fasten or secure with a chain:
she chained her bicycle to the railing.
∎
confine with a chain:
he had been chained up |
fig.
as an actuary you will not be chained to a desk.
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Chain wars
Magazine article from: Dealernews; 3/1/1999; ; 700+ words
; ...industrial/agricultural chain manufacturers may have. These industrial-type chains are completely separate...should analyze motorcycle chain separately from industrial-type chains. Motorcycle chain is not in any sense interchangeable...
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Chains face unexampled challenges. (drug store chains)
Magazine article from: Chain Drug Review; 4/8/1996; ; 700+ words
; ...much going on in chain drug retailing that...made clear that drug chains are one of retailing...could well become the chain drug industry's...but not all, drug chains have stopped bidding...minority of drug chains remain all too willing...or more literate chain drug executives are...
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Chain & cordage.(Hardware & Fasteners)
Magazine article from: Do-It-Yourself Retailing; 8/1/2004; 700+ words
; ...centers. As an all-purpose chain, it is generally used for log chains, tow chains, guardrail chains, tailgate chains and switch chains. It is not intended for use as a sling or overhead lifting chain. Chain is rated according to...
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Chains work like magic: ; All Kanawha school buses equipped with automatic devices
Newspaper article from: Charleston Daily Mail; 2/4/2009; ; 700+ words
; ...the wheel is a set of chains, typically from six to 18 chain links. There the links...s rotation causes the chain wheel to turn. From the spinning wheel, chain links are flung, one...s tire. Automatic chains have several advantages...
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Chains & cables: Lubricant function and composition
Magazine article from: Tribology & Lubrication Technology; 5/1/2008; ; 700+ words
; ...single application for chains is the automotive timing chain. Wire ropes, similarly...types of components. Chains: The basics A chain is a series of interconnected...steel offset sidebar chain. These_ common types of chains are used in a variety...
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Chains face challenge in tapes.
Magazine article from: Chain Drug Review; 9/11/2000; 700+ words
; ...their A/V needs in a chain drug store they will...that can separate drug chains from lower-price discounters...is the availability in chain drug stores of products...While the discount chains promote aggressively...successfully on multipacks, chain drug stores have been...
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Lifting chain safety: optimal performance requires the understanding of guidelines and adherence to safety regulations.(Construction equipment)
Magazine article from: Public Works; 3/22/2006; ; 700+ words
; ...or rated capacity of chains and slings, is determined by the "grade" of the chain and its components...high-grade alloy steel chains and components may be...individuals are allowed to use chains slings as specified by...a)(4) * Operate a chain sling in strict accordance...
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Chains make moves to maximize opportunities in video.(Video/DVD)
Magazine article from: Chain Drug Review; 1/3/2005; ; 700+ words
; ...a number of drug chains has gone a long way...only a select few chain drug retailers had...The consensus among chain drug retailers is...popularity, drug chains are adding them to...particular appeal to chain drug retailers because...margins. Creative drug chains have found ...
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Chains must seek alternatives as Rx margins drop. (CDR Sales Survey)
Magazine article from: Chain Drug Review; 3/25/1991; 700+ words
; Chains must seek alternatives...supporting America's chain drug stores. And...some 25% of total chain drug store sales...such conventional chains as Revco D.S...at some drug chains it is approaching...the nation's chain drug retailers...
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Chain saws - safer than ever.
Magazine article from: Popular Science; 11/1/1986; ; 700+ words
; ...include reduced-kickback chains, low-kickback guide...bar-tip guards, and chain brakes. How do these...kickback All of the 15 or so chain-saw manufacturers use reduced-kickback chains, introduced in the 1970s...Jan. '84]. The five chain makers that supply the...
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Chain of Custody
Encyclopedia entry from: West's Encyclopedia of American Law
CHAIN OF CUSTODY The movement and location of physical...of evidence is by requiring proof of the chain of custody by the party who is seeking to...particular piece of evidence. Proof of a chain of custody is required when the evidence...
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Supply Chain Management
Encyclopedia entry from: Gale Encyclopedia of E-Commerce
...technically feasible. Supply chain management was thus a...management of business supply chains coordinates all business partners in the supply chain over electronic networks...logic to building supply chain management systems as...that existing supply chains would be unable to ...
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Value-Chain Management
Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of Management
Value-Chain Management Value-chain management (VCM) is the integration of all resources starting...following sections discuss the development of VCM, integrated supply-chain planning and scheduling, full-resource management, cycle...
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Chain, Ernst Boris (1906-1979)
Book article from: World of Microbiology and Immunology
Chain, Ernst Boris (1906-1979) German–born English biochemist Ernst Chain was instrumental in the creation of penicillin...the penicillium notatum mold in 1928, it was Chain who, together with Howard Florey , isolated the...
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Ernst Boris Chain
Encyclopedia entry from: Encyclopedia of World Biography
Ernst Boris Chain Ernst Boris Chain (1906-1979) was instrumental in the creation of penicillin, the first antibiotic drug. Ernst Boris Chain was instrumental in the creation of penicillin, the first antibiotic...
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