Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

manacle

 - 3 dictionary results

man⋅a⋅cle

  [man-uh-kuhl] noun, verb, -cled, -cling.
Use manacle in a Sentence
–noun
1. a shackle for the hand; handcuff.
2. Usually, manacles. restraints; checks.
–verb (used with object)
3. to handcuff; fetter.
4. to hamper; restrain: He was manacled by his inhibitions.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME, var. of manicle < MF: handcuff < L manicula small hand, handle of a plow. See manus, -i-, -cle 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To manacle
man·a·cle   (mān'ə-kəl)   
n.  

  1. A device for confining the hands, usually consisting of a set of two metal rings that are fastened about the wrists and joined by a metal chain.

  2. Something that confines or restrains.

tr.v.   man·a·cled, man·a·cling, man·a·cles
To confine or restrain with or as if with manacles; fetter. See Synonyms at hamper1.

[Middle English, from Old French manicle, from Latin manicula, diminutive of manus, hand; see man-2 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

manacle 
c.1340, "a fetter for the hand," from O.Fr. manicle, from L. manicula "handle," lit. "little hand," dim. of manicæ "long sleeves of a tunic, manacles," from manus "hand" (see manual). The verb is attested from c.1306.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see manacle on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way