Meaning of side chain | Babel Free

Definitions

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.
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.

Equivalents

Examples

“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 the main Bitcoin blockchain, […]”

“A sidechain does not have⟳ a native token but rather creates a two-way peg or a 1:1 peg between bitcoin (tokens) and the “pegged bitcoin” on the sidechain.”

“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.”

CEFR level