{ a. [ L. Achaeus, Achaius; Gr. &unr_;. ] Of or pertaining to Achaia in Greece; also, Grecian. -- n. A native of Achaia; a Greek. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. 'archai:ko`s old-fashioned, fr. 'archai^os ancient. ] Of or characterized by antiquity or archaism; antiquated; obsolescent. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Archaic. [ R. ] -- Ar*cha"ic*al*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ Gr. 'archai:smo`s, fr. 'archai^os ancient, fr. 'archh` beginning: cf. F. archaïsme. See Arch, a. ] 1. An ancient, antiquated, or old-fashioned, word, expression, or idiom; a word or form of speech no longer in common use. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Antiquity of style or use; obsoleteness. [ 1913 Webster ]

A select vocabulary corresponding (in point of archaism and remoteness from ordinary use) to our Scriptural vocabulary. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Am antiquary. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who uses archaisms. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like, or imitative of, anything archaic; pertaining to an archaism. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Archaized p. pr. & vb. n. Archaizing. ] [ Gr. 'archai:`zein. ] To make appear archaic or antique. Mahaffy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A chair with arms to support the elbows or forearms. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A chair with adjustable back, for the sick, to support them while sitting up in bed. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Mach.) A chain in which the alternate links are broad blocks connected by thin side links pivoted to the ends of the blocks, used with sprocket wheels to transmit power, as in a bicycle. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

A watch-guard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. chaîne, fr. L. catena. Cf. Catenate. ] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ They ] put a chain of gold about his neck. Dan. v. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit. [ 1913 Webster ]

Driven down
To chains of darkness and the undying worm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Surv.) An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ One commonly in use is Gunter's chain, which consists of one hundred links, each link being seven inches and ninety-two one hundredths in length; making up the total length of rods, or sixty-six, feet; hence, a measure of that length; hence, also, a unit for land measure equal to four rods square, or one tenth of an acre. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. pl. (Naut.) Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Weaving) The warp threads of a web. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chain belt (Mach.), a belt made of a chain; -- used for transmitting power. --
Chain boat, a boat fitted up for recovering lost cables, anchors, etc. --
Chain bolt (a) (Naut.) The bolt at the lower end of the chain plate, which fastens it to the vessel's side. (b) A bolt with a chain attached for drawing it out of position. --
Chain bond. See Chain timber. --
Chain bridge, a bridge supported by chain cables; a suspension bridge. --
Chain cable, a cable made of iron links. --
Chain coral (Zool.), a fossil coral of the genus Halysites, common in the middle and upper Silurian rocks. The tubular corallites are united side by side in groups, looking in an end view like links of a chain. When perfect, the calicles show twelve septa. --
Chain coupling. (a) A shackle for uniting lengths of chain, or connecting a chain with an object. (b) (Railroad) Supplementary coupling together of cars with a chain. --
Chain gang, a gang of convicts chained together. --
Chain hook (Naut.), a hook, used for dragging cables about the deck. --
Chain mail, flexible, defensive armor of hammered metal links wrought into the form of a garment. --
Chain molding (Arch.), a form of molding in imitation of a chain, used in the Normal style. --
Chain pier, a pier suspended by chain. --
Chain pipe (Naut.), an opening in the deck, lined with iron, through which the cable is passed into the lockers or tiers. --
Chain plate (Shipbuilding), one of the iron plates or bands, on a vessel's side, to which the standing rigging is fastened. --
Chain pulley, a pulley with depressions in the periphery of its wheel, or projections from it, made to fit the links of a chain. --
Chain pumps. See in the Vocabulary. --
Chain rule (Arith.), a theorem for solving numerical problems by composition of ratios, or compound proportion, by which, when several ratios of equality are given, the consequent of each being the same as the antecedent of the next, the relation between the first antecedent and the last consequent is discovered. --
Chain shot (Mil.), two cannon balls united by a shot chain, formerly used in naval warfare on account of their destructive effect on a ship's rigging. --
Chain stitch. See in the Vocabulary. --
Chain timber. (Arch.) See Bond timber, under Bond. --
Chain wales. (Naut.) Same as Channels. --
Chain wheel. See in the Vocabulary. --
Closed chain,
Open chain (Chem.), terms applied to the chemical structure of compounds whose rational formulæ are written respectively in the form of a closed ring (see Benzene nucleus, under Benzene), or in an open extended form. --
Endless chain, a chain whose ends have been united by a link. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. p. p. Chained p. pr. & vb. n. Chaining. ] 1. To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chained behind the hostile car. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To keep in slavery; to enslave. [ 1913 Webster ]

And which more blest? who chained his country, say
Or he whose virtue sighed to lose a day? Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To unite closely and strongly. [ 1913 Webster ]

And in this vow do chain my soul to thine. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Surveying) To measure with the chain. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. bound with chains; as, prisoners chained together to prevent escape.
Syn. -- enchained, in chains(predicate). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Having no chain; not restrained or fettered. “The chainless mind.” Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A small chain. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. having a form resembling a chain; as, chainlike clusters of bacteria.
Syn. -- catenulate. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

A pump consisting of an endless chain, running over a drum or wheel by which it is moved, and dipping below the water to be raised. The chain has at intervals disks or lifts which fit the tube through which the ascending part passes and carry the water to the point of discharge. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. metal shackles connected by chains, used to bind hands or legs; as, he was kept two weeks in chains.
Syn. -- iron, irons, chain. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a portable power saw having teeth that are linked to form an endless chain, rotated about two pivot points by a power mechanism, such as an electric motor or a gasoline engine. They are used to efficiently cut trees, logs, or thick branches out of doors.
Syn. -- chain saw. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

1. An ornamental stitch like the links of a chain; -- used in crocheting, sewing, and embroidery. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Machine Sewing) A stitch in which the looping of the thread or threads forms a chain on the under side of the work; the loop stitch, as distinguished from the lock stitch. See Stitch. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Arch.) A tie consisting of a series of connected iron bars or rods. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

1. A chain pulley, or sprocket wheel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An inversion of the chain pump, by which it becomes a motor driven by water. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Work looped or linked after the manner of a chain; chain stitch work. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. chaiere, chaere, OF. chaiere, chaere, F. chaire pulpit, fr. L. cathedra chair, armchair, a teacher's or professor's chair, Gr. &unr_; down + &unr_; seat, &unr_; to sit, akin to E. sit. See Sit, and cf. Cathedral, chaise. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A movable single seat with a back. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An official seat, as of a chief magistrate or a judge, but esp. that of a professor; hence, the office itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

The chair of a philosophical school. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

A chair of philology. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The presiding officer of an assembly; a chairman; as, to address the chair. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A vehicle for one person; either a sedan borne upon poles, or two-wheeled carriage, drawn by one horse; a gig. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Think what an equipage thou hast in air,
And view with scorn two pages and a chair. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. An iron block used on railways to support the rails and secure them to the sleepers. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chair days, days of repose and age. --
To put into the chair, to elect as president, or as chairman of a meeting. Macaulay. --
To take the chair, to assume the position of president, or of chairman of a meeting. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Chaired p. pr. & vb. n. Chairing. ] 1. To place in a chair. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To carry publicly in a chair in triumph. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To function as chairperson of (a meeting, committee, etc.); as, he chaired the meeting. [ PJC ]

n. a ski lift on which riders are seated.
Syn. -- chair lift. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Chairmen /plu>. 1. The presiding officer of a committee, or of a public or private meeting, or of any organized body. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One whose business it is to cary a chair or sedan. [ 1913 Webster ]

Breaks watchmen's heads and chairmen's glasses. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of a chairman of a meeting or organized body. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization; -- same as chair{ 3 } or chairman{ 1 }, but used to achieve a sex-neutral register.
Syn. -- president, chairman, chairwoman, chair. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

n. a female officer who presides at the meetings of a committee, meeting, or organization; a female chairperson.
Syn. -- president, chairman, chair, chairperson. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. chaise seat, or chair, chaise or carriage, for chaire, from a peculiar Parisian pronunciation. See Chair. ] 1. A two-wheeled carriage for two persons, with a calash top, and the body hung on leather straps, or thorough-braces. It is usually drawn by one horse. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Loosely, a carriage in general. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. (Chem.) having atoms linked by bonds which form a ring.
Syn. -- closed-ring. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

. (Logging) A form of tackle for loading a log sideways on a sled, skidway, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. a folding chair, usually having arms and a full-length leg rest; -- used for relaxing on the deck of a ship, at poolside, etc. Also called steamer chair [ PJC ]

a. Freed from restraint; unrestrained. [ Archaic ] E. A. Poe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An armchair for ease or repose. “Laugh . . . in Rabelais' easy-chair.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A chair with arms to support the elbows; an armchair. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a device used for execution of criminals, consisting of a specially designed chair in which the victim is killed by passing a large current of electricity through the body. This method of killing is called electrocution.
Syn. -- the chair, death chair, hot seat. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ F. enchaîner; pref. en- (L. in) chaîne chain. See Chain, and cf. Incatenation. ] 1. To bind with a chain; to hold in chains. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To hold fast; to confine; as, to enchain attention. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To link together; to connect. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. enchaînement. ] The act of enchaining, or state of being enchained. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To seat in a chair. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Surveying) The chain ordinarily used in measuring land. See Chain, n., 4, and Gunter's scale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a chair designed for feeding a very young child, having four long legs and a footrest and a detachable tray, which rests in front of the child, holds the food, and also serves as a restraint, to keep the child from falling out of the chair.
Syn. -- feeding chair. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. A chain or tie rod, in a boat or barge, to prevent the vessel from hogging. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Interchained p. pr. & vb. n. Interchaining. ] To link together; to unite closely or firmly, as by a chain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Two bosoms interchained with an oath. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖‖ } n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ma`chaira dagger + 'odoy`s tooth. ] (Paleon.) A genus of extinct mammals allied to the cats, and having in the upper jaw canine teeth of remarkable size and strength; -- hence called saber-toothed tigers. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ after A. A. Markov, Russian mathematician, b. 1856, d. 1922. ] (Statistics) A random process (Markov process) in which the probabilities of discrete states in a series depend only on the properties of the immediately preceding state or the next preceeding state, independent of the path by which the preceding state was reached. It differs from the more general Markov process in that the states of a Markov chain are discrete rather than continuous. Certain physical processes, such as diffusion of a molecule in a fluid, are modelled as a Markov chain. See also random walk. [ Also spelled Markoff chain. ] [ PJC ]

n. [ Prob. fr. the proper name Morris. ] A kind of easy-chair with a back which may be lowered or raised. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

adj. (Chemistry) not cyclic; having no rings of atoms within the molecular structure; having an open chain structure. Opposite of cyclic. [ Narrower terms: aliphatic ]
Syn. -- acyclic. [ WordNet 1.5 ]