View synonyms for trammel

trammel

[ tram-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Usually trammels. a hindrance or impediment to free action; restraint:
the trammels of custom.
Synonyms: inhibition, hobble, curb, drag
an instrument for drawing ellipses.
Also called tram. a device used to align or adjust parts of a machine.
trammel net.
a fowling net.
a contrivance hung in a fireplace to support pots or kettles over the fire.
a fetter or shackle, especially one used in training a horse to amble.

verb (used with object)

, tram·meled, tram·mel·ing or (especially British) tram·melled, tram·mel·ling.

to involve or hold in trammels; restrain.
Synonyms: encumber, obstruct, impede, hinder
to catch or entangle in or as in a net.

trammel

/ ˈtræməl /

noun

often plural a hindrance to free action or movement
Also calledtrammel net a fishing net in three sections, the two outer nets having a large mesh and the middle one a fine mesh
rare.
a fowling net
a fetter or shackle, esp one used in teaching a horse to amble
a device for drawing ellipses consisting of a flat sheet of metal, plastic, or wood having a cruciform slot in which run two pegs attached to a beam. The free end of the beam describes an ellipse
See beam compass
sometimes plural another name for beam compass
Also calledtram a gauge for setting up machines correctly
a device set in a fireplace to support cooking pots

verb

to hinder or restrain
to catch or ensnare
to produce an accurate setting of (a machine adjustment), as with a trammel

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Derived Forms

ˈtrammeller, noun

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Other Words From

tram·mel·er especially British, tram·mel·ler noun
un·tram·meled especially British, un·tram·melled adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trammel¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tramayle, from Middle French tramail, variant of tremail “three-mesh net,” from Late Latin trēmaculum, equivalent to Latin trē(s) “three” + macula “mesh”; three

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Word History and Origins

Origin of trammel¹

C14: from Old French tramail three-mesh net, from Late Latin trēmaculum , from Latin trēs three + macula hole, mesh in a net

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Example Sentences

The most correct method of drawing an ellipse is by means of an instrument termed a trammel, which is shown in Figure 83.

From Project Gutenberg

Trammel, tram′el, n. a net used in fowling and fishing: shackles for making a horse amble: anything that confines.

From Project Gutenberg

There was no cult of seamanship, no dead wall of prejudice to trammel modern naval developments.

From Project Gutenberg

The coronation oath, they said, was never intended to trammel him in his legislative capacity.

From Project Gutenberg

That which is progress to-day, may it not one hundred years hence have become mere routine, and a downright trammel?

From Project Gutenberg

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