link

noun

1. Cuff link
2. Bond
3. An intermediate rod or piece for transmitting force or motion
4. The fusible member of an electrical fuse
5. A segment of sausage in a chain
6. A connecting element or factor

   "found a link between smoking and cancer"

7. A unit in a communication system
8. An identifier attached to an element in a system (such as an index term in a database) in order to indicate or permit connection with other similarly identified elements

verb

1. To couple or connect by or as if by a link
2. To become connected by or as if by a link

noun

1. A torch formerly used to light a person's way through the streets

verb

1. To skip smartly along

idiom

1. To hook bent arms together at the elbow

   "The elderly couple linked arms as they walked down the street."

noun

1. A fence of heavy steel wire woven to form a diamond-shaped mesh

noun

1. A crosswise connecting part (such as an atom or group) that connects parallel chains in a complex chemical molecule (such as a polymer)

noun

1. A usually ornamental device consisting of two parts joined by a shank, chain, or bar for passing through buttonholes to fasten shirt cuffs

noun

1. Hyperlink

   "By clicking on highlighted words, called hot links, you're instantly taken to other Internet sites that offer additional or related information."

2. A spicy sausage

   "With so many timid hot links on the barbecue scene, it was good to meet one that had actual texture and heat to it—plus snap to the bite."

noun

1. An absent member needed to complete a series or resolve a problem
2. A hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between humans and their presumed simian progenitors
3. A hypothetical intermediate evolutionary form between one animal species or group and its presumed ancestors

   "a missing link between reptiles and birds"