chains

A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.

“He wore a gold chain around the neck.”

A series of interconnected things.

“This led to an unfortunate chain of events.”

A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.

“That chain of restaurants is expanding into our town.”

A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.

“When examined, the molecular chain included oxygen and hydrogen.”

A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.

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.

A totally ordered set, especially a totally ordered subset of a poset.

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 pulls out).

That which confines, fetters, or secures; a bond.

“the chains of habit”

(in the plural) Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.

The warp threads of a web.

To fasten something with a chain.

To link multiple items together.

To secure someone with fetters.

To obstruct the mouth of a river etc with a chain.

To obligate.

To relate data items with a chain of pointers.

To be chained to another data item.

To measure a distance using a 66-foot long chain, as in land surveying.

(associated with Acorn Computers) To load and automatically run (a program).