shackle
English
A shackle—a U-shaped piece of metal.
Etymology
Akin to Old Norse skǫkull (“the pole of carriage”) ( > Danish skagle (“trace”)).
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -ækəl
Noun
shackle (plural shackles)
- A restraint fit over a human or animal appendage, such as a wrist, ankle or finger. Usually used in plural, to indicate a pair joined by a chain; a hobble.
- A U-shaped piece of metal secured with a pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism.
- (figuratively, usually in plural) A restraint on one's action, activity, or progress.
Hyponyms
Derived terms
Translations
a restraint fit over an appendage
a U-shaped piece of metal
Verb
shackle (third-person singular simple present shackles, present participle shackling, simple past and past participle shackled)
- To restrain using shackles; to place in shackles.
- By extension, to render immobile or incapable; to inhibit the progress or abilities of someone or something.
- This law would effectively shackle its opposition.
- 2011 February 12, Phil McNulty, “Man Utd 2 - 1 Man City”, BBC:
- Rooney, superbly shackled by City defender Vincent Kompany for so long as Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, had previously cut a forlorn and frustrated figure but his natural instincts continue to serve him and United so well.