[f. LINK sb.2 (though recorded somewhat earlier).]
1. trans. To couple or join with or as with a link (in or into a chain, in amity, etc.). (Also absol.)
a. two or more things together.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, I. i. (Skeat), l. 42. Depe in this pinyng pitte, with wo I ligge istocked, with chaines linked of care, and of tene.
a. 1412[?]. Lydg., Two Merchants, 76. In love he lynketh them that be vertuous. Ibid. (c. 1420), Thebes, II. in Chaucer’s Wks. (1561), 364 b. Trouth and mercy linked in a Cheine.
c. 1450. Holland, Howlat, 365. Tharwith [sc. other armorial bearings] lynkit in a lyng,… He bure a lyon as lord, of gowlis.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., 3. In as wordes fewe As I goodly may I shall lynke in fere, The storyes of Englande and Fraunce.
1530. Palsgr., 612/1. They be so faste lynked togyther by maryage that it wyll be harde to sowe a discorde bytwene them.
1597. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lii. § 2. Two persons linked in amitie.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xiii. 62. Sometimes they linke three or foure together.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., XI. § 98. Linked together by many promises and professions, and by an entire conjunction in guilt.
1770. Burke, Pres. Discont., Wks. II. 329. Whilst men are linked together, they … speedily communicate the alarm of any evil design.
1781. Cowper, Retirement, 398. The boy, who … Sits linking cherry-stones or platting rush.
1811. Busby, Dict. Mus., s.v. Appogiature, In bold and energetic movements, a chain of appogiatures … serve to link the greater intervals.
1837. Landor, Pentameron, Wks. 1846, II. 318. The clapping of hands (so lately linked) hath ceased.
1865. Kingsley, Herew., xv. Your fortunes and his are linked together.
1885. Gilbert, Mikado, I. Orig. Play Ser. III. (1895), 179. That all who flirted, leered or winked (Unless connubially linked) Should forthwith be beheaded.
b. one thing (in) with or (on) to another. Also occas. (without construction) = to secure with a link or chain.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. ii. So was malice linked with innocence.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 638/2. Vnto al their olde heresyes to lynke an whole chaine of newe.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., xxxviii. 125. Our chaine That lingth vs to credence: is not auctoritie.
1585. Abp. Sandys, Serm., xvi. 287. Abraham would not linke his sonne with the wicked.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. ix. 4. Yet is he lincked to a lovely lasse.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., V. 175. They [viz. certain serpents] … lincke or claspe themselues about their necks and bodies.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 133. All this will soon Follow, as to him linkt in weal or woe.
1693. G. Stepny, in Dryden’s Juvenal (1697), 203. Driving himself a Chariot down the Hill, And (tho a Consul) links himself the Wheel.
1799. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), IV. 268. I am not for linking ourselves by new treaties with the quarrels of Europe.
1810. Southey, Kehama, XVI. xii. Strong fetters link him to the rock.
1842. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Misadv. at Margate, Moral, Don’t link yourself with vulgar folks.
1845–6. Trench, Huls. Lect., Ser. I. iii. 43. A Gospel which should link itself on with whatever had occupied the philosophic mind.
1858. Hawthorne, Fr. & It. Jrnls., I. 104. Linked in, indeed, identified with the … swarming life of modern Rome.
1880. Mrs. Oliphant, He that will not, etc. xxxviii. Bell linking herself on to his arm, and Marie holding his hand.
c. Mil. To tie (horses) together with ‘links’ (see quot. 1895). Also absol. (See also LINKED b.)
1796. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 232. The horses … are linked to the center under the bridle reins…. All officers link at their posts in squadron.
1802. C. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., The whole go to the left about together, and link.
1895. Sir E. Wood, Cavalry Waterloo Campaign, v. 119. Most of the riders had slept at the horses’ heads with an arm passed through the reins, though in some Regiments they were ‘linked.’ Note, Horses are said to be linked when the collar chains or head-ropes are passed through the links of the head-collars of the horses on either side.
d. To pass (one’s arm) through or in another’s.
1843. Browning, Ret. Druses, V. (init.), Come, old Nasif—link thine arm in mine.
1862. Mrs. H. Wood, Mrs. Hallib., II. v. 173. Anthony … linking his arm within his lordship’s.
1871. ‘M. Legrand,’ Cambr. Freshm., 349. Mr. Pokyr, linking his arm through that of his friend.
1872. Browning, Fifine, i. O trip and skip, Elvire! Link arm in arm with me!
1884. F. M. Crawford, Rom. Singer, I. 29. Nino … linked an arm in his as we went away.
e. To link in (fig.): to entice, beguile. Now dial.
1592. Greene, Disput., etc. 1. Hath your smooth lookes linckt in some Nouice?
1887. Kentish Gloss., Link, to entice; beguile; mislead. ‘They linked him in along with a passel o’ good-for-nothin’ runagates.’
2. intr. To be coupled, joined or connected (e.g., in friendship, marriage, etc.).
c. 1540. J. Heywood, Four P. P., B ij. Wynking to drynkinge is alwaye lynkinge.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 52. A cluster Of theyre companions they let in, thee coompanye lincketh.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., III. iii. 115. I were loth To linke with him, that were not lawfull chosen.
a. 1618. Raleigh, To Son, ii. in Rem. (1661), 84. Though thou canst not forbear to love, yet forbear to link.
a. 1680. Butler, On Drunkenn., 79, Rem. 1759, I. 116. Fiercest Creatures … In Love and close Alliance link.
1735. Dyche & Pardon, Dict., Link (v.),… to enter into a Cabal or Company of Robbers, Rioters, or Rebels.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 181. No one generation could link with the other.
1897. Westm. Gaz., 2 Oct., 5/1. We ought forthwith to link in with the Cape Railway system on our southern border.
b. To go arm in arm, or hand in hand.
1819. R. Anderson, Cumberld. Ball., Carel Fair. Sae we link’d, an’ we laugh’d, an’ we chatter’d.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, ii. Clapping palms wi’ them, and linking at their dances and daffings.
1871. C. Gibbon, Lack of Gold, x. Linking home arm-in-arm like douce guidman and guidwife.
