v. 1 a tr. (often foll. by to, with) join (one thing with another) (connected the hose to the tap). b tr. join (two things) (a track connected the two villages). c intr. be joined or joinable (the two parts do not connect). 2 tr. (often foll. by with) associate mentally or practically (did not connect the two ideas; never connected her with the theatre). 3 intr. (foll. by with) (of a train etc.) be synchronized at its destination with another train etc., so that passengers can transfer (the train connects with the boat). 4 tr. put into communication by telephone. 5 a tr. (usu. in passive; foll. by with) unite or associate with others in relationships etc. (am connected with the royal family). b intr. form a logical sequence; be meaningful. 6 intr. colloq. hit or strike effectively. connecting-rod the rod between the piston and the crankpin etc. in an internal-combustion engine or between the wheels of a locomotive. connectable adj. connector n.
[ L connectere connex- (as com-, nectere bind) ]