chain

Where does the word "chain" come from? It comes from Latin catena, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Chain’s story begins in Latin: catena meant “chain.” The root of 'concatenate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chaeine. Iron chains for prisoners and anchors. It reached English by 1300s as chain. 'chain store' dates from the 1920s. Today, chain means a series of linked metal rings.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient catena "chain", the root of 'concatenate'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval chaeine "chain", iron chains for prisoners and anchors.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s chain "chain", 'chain store' dates from the 1920s.