chain

The story

1. Proto-Italic*katesnā
2. Latincatēna
3. Old Frenchchaeine
4. Middle Englishcheyne
5. English todaychain

From Middle English cheyne, chaine, from Old French chaeine, chaene (“chain”), from Latin catēna (“chain”), from Proto-Indo-European *kat- (“to braid, twist; hut, shed”). Doublet of catena. Displaced native Middle English rakil and rakent (from Old English racente (“chain”)); see rackan.

Words from the same roots