Definitions:
A preorder on a set $X$ is a binary relation $\leq$ on $X$ which is reflexive and transitive.
A preordered set $(X, \leq)$ is a set equipped with a preorder.... Where confusion cannot result, we refer to the preordered set $X$ or sometimes just the preorder $X$.
If $x \leq y$ and $y \leq x$ then we shall write $x \cong y$ and say that $x$ and $y$ are isomorphic elements.
Write $x < y$ if $x \le y$ and $y \not\le x$ for each $x, y \in X$. This gives a strict partial order on $X$. (See also, this question.)
Given two preordered sets $A$ and $B$, the lexicographical order on the Cartesian product $A \times B$ is defined as $(a,b) \le_{lex} (a',b')$ if and only if $a < a'$ or ($a \cong a'$ and $b \le b'$). The result is a preorder.
A subset $C$ of a preorder $X$ is called a chain if for every $x,y \in C$ we have $x \leq y$ or $y \leq x$.... We shall say that a preorder $X$ is a chain ... if the underlying set $X$ is such.
Exercise:
Let $C$ and $C'$ be chains. Show that the set of pairs $(c, c')$, where $c \in C$ and $c' \in C'$, is also a chain when ordered lexicographically