shackle
A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or…A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain.
» Democracy is shackled by capitalist power.
Meaning
11 senses(usually plural)A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain.
The prisoner lay in shackles in his gloomy cell.
A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain.
(broadly, usually plural)A U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism, used for attaching things together while allowing for some degree of movement; a clevis.
Schäkel
карабинkarabin, мо́чкаmóčka, соедини́тельная ско́баsojedinítelʹnaja skóba
хому́тxomút
(broadly, usually plural)Part of a padlock that consists of a loop of metal (round or square in cross section) that encompasses what is being secured by the lock.
(broadly, usually plural)A hook, ring, or other device for connecting, holding, lifting, etc.; specifically (nautical), a small incomplete ring secured with a bolt across the ends, used to connect lengths of cable or chain together, or to keep a porthole closed.
(broadly, usually plural)Synonym of hobble or hopple (“a short strap tied between the legs of a horse, allowing it to wander a short distance but not to run off”).
(broadly, usually plural)A link for connecting railroad cars; a draglink, drawbar, or drawlink.
(figuratively, usually plural)A restraint on one's action, activity, or progress.
A length of cable or chain equal to 12½ fathoms (75 feet or about 22.9 metres), or later to 15 fathoms (90 feet or about 27.4 metres).
(UK, dialectal)A person who is idle or lazy; an idler.
(UK, dialectal)A dice game; also, an event at which tickets are sold for chances to be drawn to win prizes; a raffle.
A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain.
(broadly, obsolete, usually plural, rare)A fetter-like band worn on an appendage as an ornament; an anklet, an armlet, a bracelet, a wristlet.
- a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
- a U-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain links and closed with a bar
Examples
11 sentencesDemocracy is shackled by capitalist power.
Let's shackle your feet with silver fetters.
Sami was shackled to his hospital bed.
I bought a shackle for the cow.
Sami was led from the courthouse in shackles.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 3
By meaning 2
Origin
From Middle English shakel, schakkyl, schakle (“a fetter, shackle; coupling used to connecFrom Middle English shakel, schakkyl, schakle (“a fetter, shackle; coupling used to connect a plough or wagon to a draft chain”), from Old English sċacul, sċeacel, sċeacul (“fetter, shackle”), from Proto-West Germanic *skakul, from Proto-Germanic *skakulaz (“shackle”), possibly from *skakaną (“to shake; to swing; to escape”), from Proto-Indo-European *skeg-, *skek- (“to shake; to stir”). However, this is doubted by the Oxford English Dictionary because *skeg-, *skek- lack the meaning of attaching or fastening.
From shack (“variant of shake”), shake (verb) + -le (suffix forming agent nouns; frequentative suffix forming verbs).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source