chained

Chained is the past participle of the verb chain, and as an adjective it describes something that is bound or connected by a chain, or arranged in a series by links. The term can refer to physical bindings, such as chains used to secure property, cargo, or animals, as well as to mechanical systems that use linked metal loops to transmit power or motion, like chain drives and conveyors.

In legal and ethical contexts, chaining implies restraint and is subject to safety, animal welfare, and property laws; the practice has historical associations with confinement and control.

Figurative uses are common: someone can be described as chained to a desk or to a habit, meaning bound by obligation or circumstance; a chain of events or a chain of custody describes linked elements in a process or chain of evidence.

In computing and information technology, chaining denotes various concepts: method chaining is a design pattern enabling multiple operations on an object in a single expression; a blockchain is literally a series of blocks chained together by cryptographic hashes; data processing pipelines may feature chained transformations.

Chained objects often require standards of security and inspection: chains vary in material (steel, iron, alloy), rating (strength), and resistance to corrosion; legal and safety contexts dictate appropriate use and maintenance.