side chains

Noun

side chain (plural side chains)

1. That part of a molecule attached to some core structure; a radical.
2. Any of the variable parts of amino acids that extend from the peptide backbone in proteins; they are referred to as R-groups, which branch off the backbone at the alpha carbon (Cα).
3. Auxiliary audio input fed to a synthesizer etc. and used to selectively trigger an effect.
4. A separate blockchain attached to a parent blockchain (mainchain) to extend its functionalities.
   • The Blockstream developers, meanwhile, were accused of working for the interests of their company, Blockstream, rather than the good of Bitcoin as a whole. Their company, after all, proposed breaking many smaller transactions off onto so called sidechains that would occasionally link back up with...2015, Nathaniel Popper, “Epilogue”, in Digital Gold, 1st edition, New York: Harper, →ISBN, →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   childchain

5. On some railways, a chain fitted on both sides of a centre coupler or buffer at each end of a rail vehicle, which has a hook for connection to a corresponding chain on the next vehicle in a train.
   • When the screw coupling replaced the old chain couplings on passenger stock, the latter were retained and still coupled up to prevent severance of a train in the event of a screw coupling breaking. The contingency is so remote, however, that the side chains have been abolished.1946 May and June, “The Why and The Wherefore: Miscellanea”, in Railway Magazine, pages 197–198

See all 6 meanings of side chain