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View synonyms for shackle

shackle

[ shak-uhl ]

noun

  1. a ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle, etc.; fetter.

    Synonyms: gyve, handcuff, manacle, chain

  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.

    Synonyms: encumbrance, impediment, obstruction, obstacle



verb (used with object)

, shack·led, shack·ling.
  1. to put a shackle or shackles on; confine or restrain by a shackle or shackles.

    Synonyms: hobble, handcuff, chain, fetter, restrict

    Antonyms: free, liberate

  2. to fasten or couple with a shackle.
  3. to restrain in action, thought, etc., as by restrictions; restrict the freedom of.

    Synonyms: dull, stultify, slow, impede, trammel

    Antonyms: free, liberate

shackle

/ ˈʃækəl /

noun

  1. often plural a metal ring or fastening, usually part of a pair used to secure a person's wrists or ankles; fetter
  2. often plural anything that confines or restricts freedom
  3. a rope, tether, or hobble for an animal
  4. a U-shaped bracket, the open end of which is closed by a bolt ( shackle pin ), used for securing ropes, chains, etc


verb

  1. to confine with or as if with shackles
  2. to fasten or connect with a shackle

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Derived Forms

  • ˈshackler, noun

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Other Words From

  • shackler noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle1

before 1000; (noun) Middle English schakle, schakyl ( le ); Old English sceacel fetter; cognate with Low German schakel hobble, Old Norse skǫkull wagon pole, (v.) late Middle English schaklyn, derivative of the noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle1

Old English sceacel; related to Dutch schakel, Old Norse skokull wagon pole, Latin cingere to surround

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Example Sentences

Being able to orient a map using a compass is the basis of navigation, but it’s also a fun challenge and it frees you from the shackles of modern technology.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday significantly limited when handcuffs, shackles and other restraints can be used on young people when they appear in court.

News reports of her testimony this week were paired with photos of her dancing in shackles.

“We need to take the shackles off and get out of our own way,” he says.

At the end of July, his request for deportation was granted and he was flown back to Honduras in shackles.

Conservatives distrust public officials and want to shackle them with detailed rules.

Twice a day, soldiers shackle Moqbel to a restraint chair, and force a feeding tube into his stomach though his nose.

An institution that might have protected us two hundred years ago has become a shackle.

So given all the evidence against it, why shackle women at all?

“Why, the beggars have knocked the shackle off the chain,” cried Raft.

Pastern, pas′tėrn, n. the part of a horse's foot from the fetlock to the hoof, where the shackle is fastened.

As he drove the rivet into the shackle on his left arm, a spurt of bruised blood from the old Mexican War wound stained the iron.

Religious dogma is sometimes used to shackle human creativity, and the form of belief is allowed to stifle the vitality of faith.

I am ready to take you to any place of safety you can name, for my promise is as strong as an iron shackle.

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