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Shackling
2 dictionary results for: Shackling
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
shack·le       [shak-uhl] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -led, -ling.
–noun
1.a ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle, etc.; fetter.
2.a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
3.the U-shaped bar of a padlock, one end of which is pivoted or sliding, the other end of which can be released, as for passing through a staple, and then fastened, as for securing a hasp.
4.any of various fastening or coupling devices.
5.Often, shackles. anything that serves to prevent freedom of procedure, thought, etc.
–verb (used with object)
6.to put a shackle or shackles on; confine or restrain by a shackle or shackles.
7.to fasten or couple with a shackle.
8.to restrain in action, thought, etc., as by restrictions; restrict the freedom of.
[Origin: bef. 1000; (n.) ME schakle, schakyl(le); OE sceacel fetter; c. LG schakel hobble, ON skǫkull wagon pole, (v.) late ME schaklyn, deriv. of the n.]

—Related forms
shackler, noun

—Synonyms 1. chain, manacle, handcuff, gyve, bilboes. 5. obstacle, obstruction, impediment, encumbrance. 6. restrict, fetter, chain, handcuff, hobble. 8. trammel, impede, slow, stultify, dull.
—Antonyms 6, 8. liberate, free.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shack·le       (shāk'əl)  Pronunciation Key 


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n.  
  1. A metal fastening, usually one of a pair, for encircling and confining the ankle or wrist of a prisoner or captive; a fetter or manacle.
  2. A hobble for an animal.
  3. Any of several devices, such as a clevis, used to fasten or couple.
  4. A restraint or check to action or progress. Often used in the plural: economic shackles that precluded further investment.

tr.v.   shack·led, shack·ling, shack·les
  1. To confine with shackles; fetter.
  2. To fasten or connect with a shackle.
  3. To restrict, confine, or hamper. See Synonyms at hamper1.


[Middle English schackel, from Old English sceacel, fetter.]

shack'ler n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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