chain vs course

chain

noun
  • A series of interconnected things. 

  • A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device. 

  • A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name. 

  • A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule. 

  • A unit of length equal to 22 yards. The length of a Gunter's surveying chain. The length of a cricket pitch. Equal to 20.12 metres, 4 rods, or 100 links. 

  • That which confines, fetters, or secures; a bond. 

  • A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal. 

  • Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels. 

  • A long measuring tape. 

  • A totally ordered set, especially a totally ordered subset of a poset. 

  • A sequence of linked house purchases, each of which is dependent on the preceding and succeeding purchase (said to be "broken" if a buyer or seller pulls out). 

  • A livery collar, a chain of office. 

  • The warp threads of a web. 

verb
  • To link multiple items together. 

  • To connect as if with a chain, due to dependence, addiction, or other feelings 

  • To measure a distance using a 66-foot long chain, as in land surveying. 

  • To relate data items with a chain of pointers. 

  • To obstruct the mouth of a river etc with a chain. 

  • To obligate. 

  • To fasten something with a chain. 

  • To secure someone with fetters. 

  • To load and automatically run (a program). 

  • To be chained to another data item. 

course

noun
  • A sequence of events. 

  • The path taken by a flow of water; a watercourse. 

  • Any ordered process or sequence of steps. 

  • The drive usually frequented by Europeans at an Indian station. 

  • A path that something or someone moves along. 

  • The lowest square sail in a fully rigged mast, often named according to the mast. 

  • The itinerary of a race. 

  • A programme, a chosen manner of proceeding. 

  • A row of bricks or blocks. 

  • One or more strings on some musical instruments (such as the guitar, lute or vihuela): if multiple, then closely spaced, tuned in unison or octaves and intended to played together. 

  • A learning programme, whether a single class or (UK) a major area of study. 

  • A normal or customary sequence. 

  • The succession of one to another in office or duty; order; turn. 

  • The intended passage of voyage, such as a boat, ship, airplane, spaceship, etc. 

  • In weft knitting, a single row of loops connecting the loops of the preceding and following rows. 

  • The trajectory of a ball, frisbee etc. 

  • A golf course. 

  • A treatment plan. 

  • A stage of a meal. 

  • A racecourse. 

  • The direction of movement of a vessel at any given moment. 

  • A row of material that forms the roofing, waterproofing or flashing system. 

verb
  • To cause to chase after or pursue game. 

  • To run through or over. 

  • To run or flow (especially of liquids and more particularly blood). 

  • To pursue by tracking or estimating the course taken by one's prey; to follow or chase after. 

How often have the words chain and course occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )