zanjire

Zanjire, written Persian زنجیره and often transliterated zanjireh, is the Persian term for a chain—the flexible connection of linked metal rings used to connect, suspend, or secure objects. In addition to its literal meaning, zanjire is used metaphorically to describe a sequence or chain of events, causes, or steps in a process.

In everyday Persian, zanjire covers both jewelry chains and industrial chains. For jewelry, it denotes a necklace or bracelet made of linked metal rings, available in various materials such as gold, silver, or steel and in different link styles. In industrial contexts, a zanjire can refer to any chain used for lifting, towing, securing loads, or transmitting mechanical motion, including lifting chains and conveyor chains.

Etymology and related terms: The word derives from the Persian zanjir (زنجیر), meaning “chain.” The extended form zanjire/zanjireh is used to describe the abstract or extended sense of chain in Persian, and it has cognates and loanwords in neighboring languages that convey linked elements or sequences.

See also: Chain; Necklace; Mechanical chain; Chain of events.