LINK  . (I) (Of Scandinavian origin; cf . Swed. lank,

Dan. laenke; cognate with " flank," and Ger . Gelenk, joint), one of the loops of which a chain is composed; used as a measure of length in surveying, being 1*-6th part of a "chain." In Gunter's chain, a " link "= 7.92 in.; the chain used by American engineers consists of too links of a foot each in length (for " link work " and " link motions " see MECHANICS: § Applied, and STEAM ENGINE) . The term is also applied to anything used for connecting or binding together; metaphorically or absolutely . (2) (O . Eng. hlinc, possibly from the root which appears in " to lean "), a bank or ridge of rising ground; in Scots dialect, in the plural, applied to the ground bordering on the sea-shore, characterized by sand and coarse grass; hence a course for playing golf . (3) A torch made of pitch or tow formerly carried in the streets to light passengers, by men or boys called " link-boys " who plied for hire with them . Iron link-stands supporting a ring in which the link might be placed may still be seen at the doorways of old London houses . The word is of doubtful origin . It has been referred to a Med . Lat. lichinus, which occurs in the form linchinus (see Du Cange, Glossarinm); this, according to a 15th-century glossary, meant a wick or match .

It is an

adaptation of Gr . Xfxvos, lamp . Another suggestion connects it with a supposed derivation of " linstock," from " lint." The New English 'Dictionary thinks the likeliest suggestion is to identify the word with the " link " of a chain .