Antonyms for chains

Grammar : Noun, verb

Spell : cheyn

Phonetic Transcription : tʃeɪn

Definition of chains

Origin : c.1300, from Old French chaeine "chain" (12c., Modern French chaîne), from Latin catena "chain" (source also of Spanish cadena, Italian catena), of unknown origin, perhaps from PIE root *kat- "to twist, twine" (cf. Latin cassis "hunting net, snare").
Figurative use from c.1600. As a type of ornament worn about the neck, from late 14c. Chain of stores is American English, 1846. Chain gang is from 1834; chain reaction is from 1916 in physics, specific nuclear physics sense is from 1938; chain mail first recorded 1822, in Scott, from mail (n.2). Before that, mail alone sufficed. Chain letter recorded from 1892; usually to raise money at first; decried from the start as a nuisance.
Nine out of every ten givers are reluctant and unwilling, and are coerced into giving through the awful fear of "breaking the chain," so that the spirit of charity is woefully absent. ["St. Nicholas" magazine, vol. XXVI, April 1899]
Chain smoker is attested from 1886, originally of Bismarck (who smoked cigars), thus probably a loan-translation of German Kettenraucher. Chain-smoking is from 1930.

noun succession, series
noun connected metal links; jewelry made of such links
verb manacle in metal

Example sentences :

There he hammered at weapons or chains or whatever happened to be his need.
Extract from : « Opera Stories from Wagner » by Florence Akin

I have therefore had to create for myself some tasks which will hold me to my chains.
Extract from : « My Double Life » by Sarah Bernhardt

She walked up and down the room with the air of a princess in chains.
Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth

I wish you would buy me a collar and chains like those, papa.'
Extract from : « Wilfrid Cumbermede » by George MacDonald

He had chains about his neck and several devils were dragging him along.
Extract from : « The Chinese Fairy Book » by Various

It has however served to weaken her prepossessions, and relax the chains of her attachment.
Extract from : « Imogen » by William Godwin

We get used to the chains we wear, and we miss them when removed.
Extract from : « The Child and the Curriculum » by John Dewey

At length he threw off the chains which had so long bound him.
Extract from : « The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 » by Various

Practically, there were nearer a hundred chains of boundary.
Extract from : « Brighter Britain! (Volume 1 of 2) » by William Delisle Hay

He was taken in chains to Cadiz, Spain, arriving there in December, 1500.
Extract from : « Christopher Columbus and His Monument Columbia » by Various

Synonyms for chains

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019