1
- a connected flexible series of metal links used for fastening or securing objects and pulling or supporting loads链子, 链条。
1.1
chains
such a series of links, or a set of them, used to confine a prisoner枷锁, 镣铐：the drug dealer is being kept in chains.
这个毒品贩被戴上了镣铐。
1.2
- such a series of links worn as a decoration or badge of office（作装饰或公职标志的）项链。
1.3
- figurative a force or factor which binds or restricts someone〈喻〉约束, 束缚：
workers secured by the chains of the labour market.
被劳动力市场束缚的工人。
2
- a sequence of items of the same type forming a line一连串, 一系列（同类物）：
he kept the chain of buckets supplied with water.
他使这一串水桶一直有水供应。
2.1
- a sequence or series of connected elements一连串, 一系列（相关元素）; 连锁：
the action would initiate a chain of events.
这一行动将引发一连串事件。
2.2
- a group of hotels or shops owned by the same company（某公司下属的）连锁旅馆或商店, 联号：
the agency is part of a nationwide chain.
这家代理行是全国连锁中的一个部分。
2.3
- a part of a molecule consisting of a number of atoms (typically carbon) bonded together in a linear sequence分子链。
2.4
- a figure in a quadrille or similar dance, in which dancers meet and pass each other in a continuous sequence转链动作（方阵舞或类似舞蹈中的一组动作, 舞者周而复始地相遇后互相擦肩而过）。
2.5
- a connected series of mountains山链：
a mountain chain.
一条山链。
3
- a jointed measuring line consisting of linked metal rods（由相连的金属棒组成的）测链。
3.1
- the length of such a measuring line (66 ft)测链的长度（66英尺）。
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舷侧支索扣板（向帆船两舷水平方向突出, 与桅杆并列的木板支承结构, 用于加宽桅杆支索的基底）。- ORIGIN: formed earlier of iron plates
with obj.
1- fasten or secure with a chain用链条拴住：
she chained her bicycle to the railings.
她用链条把自行车拴在栏杆上。
1.1
- confine with a chain用链条禁锢, 拘禁, 锁住：
he had been chained up
他已上了枷锁
figurative〈喻〉as an actuary you will not be chained to a desk.
作为保险业务精算师, 你不会被拴在办公桌边的。
短语
pull（或yank）someone's chain
- US informal tease someone, typically by leading them to believe something untrue〈美, 非正式〉戏弄（或揶揄）某人（尤指使其相信不实之事）。
词源
Middle English: from Old French chaine， chaeine， from Latin catena 'a chain'.