–noun

1.

a series of objects connected one after the other, usually in the form of a series of metal rings ed2 passing through one another, used either for various purposes requiring a flexible tie with high tensile strength, as for hauling, supporting, or confining, or in various ornamental and decorative forms.

2.	Often, chains. something that binds or restrains; bond: the chain of timidity; the chains of loyalty.

3.	chains, a. shackles or fetters: to place a prisoner in chains. b. bondage; servitude: to live one's life in chains. c. Nautical. (in a sailing vessel) the area outboard at the foot of the shrouds of a mast: the customary position of the leadsman in taking soundings. d. tire chain.

4.	a series of things connected or following in succession: a chain of events.

5.	a range of mountains.

6.	a number of similar establishments, as banks, theaters, or hotels, under one ownership or management.

7.	Chemistry. two or more atoms of the same element, usually carbon, attached as in a chain. Compare ring 1 (def. 17).

8.

Surveying, Civil Engineering. a. a distance-measuring device consisting of a chain of 100 links of equal length, having a total length either of 66 ft. (20 m) (Gunter's chain or surveyor's chain) or of 100 ft. (30 m) (engineer's chain). b. a unit of length equal to either of these. c. a graduated steel tape used for distance measurements. Abbreviation: ch

9.	Mathematics. totally ordered set.

10.	Football. a chain 10 yd. (9 m) in length for determining whether a first down h 47f as been earned.

–verb (used with object)

11.	to fasten or secure with a chain: to chain a dog to a post.

12.	to confine or restrain: His work chained him to his desk.

13.	Surveying. to measure (a distance on the ground) with a chain or tape.

14.	Computers. to link (related items, as records in a file or portions of a program) together, esp. so that items can be run in sequence.

15.	to make (a chain stitch or series of chain stitches), as in crocheting.

–verb (used without object)

16.	to form or make a chain.

—Idioms

17.	drag the chain, Australian Slang. to lag behind or shirk one's fair share of work.

18.	in the chains, Nautical. standing outboard on the channels or in some similar place to heave the lead to take soundings.

–noun

1.	a tool or device for cutting, typically a th 7f1 in blade of metal with a series of sharp teeth.

2.	any similar tool or device, as a rotating disk, in which a sharp continuous edge replaces the teeth.

–verb (used with object)

3.	to cut or divide with a saw.

4.	to form by cutting with a saw.

5.	to make cutting motions as if using a saw: to saw the air with one's hands.

6.	to work (something) from side to side like a saw.

–verb (used without object)

7.	to use a saw.

8.	to cut with or as if with a saw.

9.	to cut as a saw does.

—Idiom

10.	saw wood, Informal. to snore loudly while sleeping.