3. To unite closely and strongly.
And in this vow do chain my soul to thine.
Shak.
4. (Surveying) To measure with the chain.
5. To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.
Chainless
(Chain"less) a. Having no chain; not restrained or fettered. "The chainless mind." Byron.
Chainlet
(Chain"let) n. A small chain. Sir W. Scott.
Chain pump
(Chain" pump`) 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.
Chain stitch
(Chain" stitch`)
1. An ornamental stitch like the links of a chain; — used in crocheting, sewing, and embroidery.
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.
Chain wheel
(Chain" wheel`)
1. A chain pulley, or sprocket wheel.
2. An inversion of the chain pump, by which it becomes a motor driven by water.
Chainwork
(Chain"work`) n. Work looped or linked after the manner of a chain; chain stitch work.
Chair
(Chair) n. [OE. chaiere, chaere, OF. chaiere, chaere, F. chaire pulpit, fr. L. cathedra chair,
armchair, a teacher's or professor's chair, Gr. down + seat, to sit, akin to E. sit. See Sit, and cf. Cathedral,
chaise.]
1. A movable single seat with a back.
2. An official seat, as of a chief magistrate or a judge, but esp. that of a professor; hence, the office
itself.
The chair of a philosophical school.
Whewell.
A chair of philology.
M. Arnold.
3. The presiding officer of an assembly; a chairman; as, to address the chair.
4. A vehicle for one person; either a sedan borne upon poles, or two-wheeled carriage, drawn by one
horse; a gig. Shak.
Think what an equipage thou hast in air,
And view with scorn two pages and a chair.
Pope.
5. An iron block used on railways to support the rails and secure them to the sleepers.
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.
