Series, chain or sequence; chain; series.
A series of items in a chained list—that is, a list in which one item points to the next in sequence. See also linked list.

ETYM French chaîne, from Latin catena. Related to Catenate.
Unit of length equal to 20 metres.
1. A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament.
2. A number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership.
3. A series of things depending on each other as if linked together; SYN. concatenation.
4. Anything that acts as a restraint.
5. A series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule); SYN. chemical chain.
6. A unit of length.

ETYM French, from corde. Related to Cord.
1. An ornamental ribbon or cord.
2. Cord or ribbon worn as an insignia of honor or rank.

ETYM French palissade, cf. Spanish palizada, Italian palizzata, palizzo, Late Lat. palissata; all from Latin palus a stake, pale. Related to Pale a stake.
1. A strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground; for defence.
2. Fence of stakes used for defensive purposes.

ETYM Formerly tedder, Old Eng. tedir.
1. A long rope or chain by which an animal is fastened or restrained, so that it can range or feed only within certain limits.
2. Any restraint, literal or figurative.

(Ecology) A community of organisms where each member is eaten in turn by another member.
In ecology, a sequence showing the feeding relationships between organisms in a particular ecosystem. Each organism depends on the next lowest member of the chain for its food.
Energy in the form of food is shown to be transferred from autotrophs, or producers, which are principally plants and photosynthetic microorganisms, to a series of heterotrophs, or consumers. The heterotrophs comprise the herbivores, which feed on the producers; carnivores, which feed on the herbivores; and decomposers, which break down the dead bodies and waste products of all four groups (including their own), ready for recycling.
In reality, however, organisms have varied diets, relying on different kinds of foods, so that the food chain is an oversimplification. The more complex food web shows a greater variety of relationships, but again emphasizes that energy passes from plants to herbivores to carnivores.
Environmentalists have used the concept of the food chain to show how poisons and other forms of pollution can pass from one animal to another, threatening rare species. For example, the pesticide DDT has been found in lethal concentrations in the bodies of animals at the top of the food chain, such as the golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos.

In business, the path down which orders and decisions are communicated, from the board of directors of a company at the top of the hierarchy down to shop-floor workers at the bottom. The shorter the chain of command, the faster communication is likely to be. There is also less likely to be misinterpretation of communication. A short chain of command also tends to motivate workers because they are able to interact with those in positions of authority and see their decisions being implemented by workers below them.

ETYM French châtelaine the wife of a castellan, the mistress of a chateau, a chatelaine chain.
1. A chain formerly worn at the waist by women; for carrying a purse or bunch of keys etc.
2. The mistress of a chateau or large country house.
Female castle owner, manager or caretakerring attached to belt for carrying keys.
Woman owner, occupier or caretaker of castle; ring attached to belt for carrying keys, etc.

One of a chain of retail stores under the same management and selling the same merchandise.

ETYM French châtelaine the wife of a castellan, the mistress of a chateau, a chatelaine chain.
1. A chain formerly worn at the waist by women; for carrying a purse or bunch of keys etc.
2. The mistress of a chateau or large country house.
Female castle owner, manager or caretakerring attached to belt for carrying keys.
Woman owner, occupier or caretaker of castle; ring attached to belt for carrying keys, etc.