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a series of atoms united in a straight line; compounds of this series are related to methane and are also called aliphatic or acyclic compounds.Medical dictionary. 2011.
Open chain — Open O pen, a. [AS. open; akin to D. open, OS. opan, G. offan, Icel. opinn, Sw. [ o]ppen, Dan. aaben, and perh. to E. up. Cf. {Up}, and {Ope}.] 1. Free of access; not shut up; not closed; affording unobstructed ingress or egress; not impeding or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Open chain — Chain Chain (ch[=a]n), n. [F. cha[^i]ne, fr. L. catena. Cf. {Catenate}.] 1. A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
open-chain — adj. (Chemistry) not cyclic; having no rings of atoms within the molecular structure; having an open chain structure. Opposite of {cyclic}. [Narrower terms: {aliphatic ] Syn: acyclic. [WordNet 1.5] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
open chain — n. any structural arrangement used in the models and formulas of molecules and consisting of a chain of atoms that does not form a closed geometric figure; specif., a straight or branched chain: see ALIPHATIC, CLOSED CHAIN … English World dictionary
open chain — open chain, adj. Chem. a series of atoms linked in a chain not joined together at its ends, and so represented in its structural formula. Cf. closed chain. [1880 85] * * * … Universalium
open-chain — adjective having an open chain structure • Syn: ↑acyclic • Ant: ↑cyclic (for: ↑acyclic) • Similar to: ↑aliphatic • Topics … Useful english dictionary
Open-chain compound — In chemistry, an open chain compound (also spelled as open chain compound) or acyclic compound is a compound with a linear structure, rather than a cyclic one. [1] An open chain compound having no side chains is called a straight chain compound… … Wikipedia
open chain — noun a chain of atoms in a molecule whose ends are not joined to form a ring • Ant: ↑closed chain • Hypernyms: ↑chain, ↑chemical chain • Hyponyms: ↑branched chain, ↑straight chain … Useful english dictionary
open chain — o′pen chain′ n. chem. a series of atoms linked in a chain not joined together at its ends, and so represented in its structural formula Compare closed chain • Etymology: 1880–85 o′pen chain′, adj … From formal English to slang
open chain — noun Date: 1880 an arrangement of atoms represented in a structural formula by a chain whose ends are not joined so as to form a ring … New Collegiate Dictionary
