darbies

[ dahr-beez ]

plural nounBritish Slang.
  1. handcuffs; manacles.

Origin of darbies

1
First recorded in 1565–75; probably from the phrase Darby's bonds a rigid bond, perhaps named after a noted 16th-century usurer

Words Nearby darbies

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use darbies in a sentence

  • Trimm, the swell financeer, sportin' 'round with the darbies on him all nice an' snug an' reg'lar!

    The Escape of Mr. Trimm | Irvin S. Cobb
  • It don't make any difference what his game is, right here is where he gets into a pair of darbies.

    Motor Matt's Daring Rescue | Stanley R. Matthews
  • Here, constables, put the darbies on 'em, and take 'em back to Hobarton.'

    The Book of the Bush | George Dunderdale
  • Look at the wee han's on 'em to slip out of darbies like the same.

    Tropic Days | E. J. Banfield
  • I have put the darbies on the most terrible ruffian of modern times.'

    The Exploits of Juve | Pierre Souvestre and Marcel Allain

British Dictionary definitions for darbies

darbies

/ (ˈdɑːbɪz) /


pl n
  1. British short for handcuffs: See handcuff

Origin of darbies

1
C16: perhaps from the phrase Father Derby's or Father Darby's bonds, a rigid agreement between a usurer and his client

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012