links
links Lexical Profile
links Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Plural form of link: relationships, connections, chains, or digital hyperlinks between two or more things, people, or electronic documents.
"The researcher discovered strong genetic links between the two isolated plant populations."
A golf course, especially one situated on undulating sandy coastal land featuring natural dunes, firm turf, and few trees.
"The tournament was held on a historic Scottish links overlooking the North Sea."
Scottish Flat or undulating sandy coastal ground located along a seashore, typically covered with turf, coarse grass, and sand dunes.
"Strong onshore winds swept across the coastal links as the tide came in."
• verb
To make, form, or suggest a physical, logical, or electronic connection with or between things (third-person singular simple present of link).
"A high-speed rail line now links the capital city with the northern industrial region."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to a coastal golf course or undulating sandy terrain, 'links' is an invariant noun that is plural in form but used with either a singular or plural verb (e.g., 'a challenging links'). It should not be confused with the regular plural of 'link' meaning connections or chain rings.
• Rhymes for links
Word Origin & Etymology
The topographical and golfing sense derives from Old English hlinc ('rising ground, ridge, or bank'), preserved in Scots as links to describe undulating coastal sand dunes where golf was historically played. The sense of connections or rings comes separately from Old Norse hlekkr ('ring in a chain').