shackle

shackle
[[t]ʃæ̱k(ə)l[/t]]
shackles, shackling, shackled
1) VERB: usu passive If you are shackled by something, it prevents you from doing what you want to do. [FORMAL]

[be V-ed by/to n] The trade unions are shackled by the law.

[be V-ed by/to n] ...people who find themselves shackled to a high-stress job.

Syn:
2) N-PLURAL: with supp If you throw off the shackles of something, you reject it or free yourself from it because it was preventing you from doing what you wanted to do. [LITERARY]

...a country ready to throw off the shackles of its colonial past.

3) N-PLURAL Shackles are two metal rings joined by a chain which are fastened around someone's wrists or ankles in order to prevent them from moving or escaping.

He unbolted the shackles on Billy's hands.

4) VERB To shackle someone means to put shackles on them.

[V n] ...the chains that were shackling his legs...

[V-ed to n] She was shackled to a wall.


English dictionary. 2008.

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  • Shackle — Shac kle, n. [Generally used in the plural.] [OE. schakkyll, schakle, AS. scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr. scacan to shake; cf. D. schakel a link of a chain, a mesh, Icel. sk[ o]kull the pole of a cart. See {Shake}.] 1. Something which confines… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Shackle — Shac kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shackled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shackling}.] 1. To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain. [1913 Webster] To lead him shackled, and exposed to scorn Of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shackle — [n] restraint bracelet, chain, cuff, electronic ankle bracelet, fetter, handcuff, irons, leg iron, manacle, rope, trammel; concepts 130,191,500 shackle [v] restrain bind, chain, confine, cuff, fetter, handcuff, hog tie*, hold, hold captive,… …   New thesaurus

  • shackle — [shak′əl] n. [ME schakel < OE sceacel, akin to MDu schakel, chain link < ? IE base * (s)kenk , to gird, bind] 1. a metal fastening, usually one of a linked pair, for the wrist or ankle of a prisoner; fetter; manacle 2. anything that… …   English World dictionary

  • Shackle — Shac kle, n. Stubble. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • shackle — index arrest (apprehend), constrain (imprison), contain (restrain), detain (restrain), d …   Law dictionary

  • shackle — vb fetter, clog, trammel, *hamper, manacle, hog tie Analogous words: *restrain, curb, check, inhibit: *hinder, impede, obstruct, block, bar: restrict, circumscribe, confine, *limit Contrasted words: disencumber, disembarrass, *extricate: release …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • shackle — ► NOUN 1) (shackles) a pair of fetters connected by a chain, used to fasten a prisoner s wrists or ankles together. 2) (shackles) restraints or impediments. 3) a metal link or loop, closed by a bolt and used to secure a chain or rope to something …   English terms dictionary

  • Shackle — A shackle (also called gyve) is a U shaped piece of metal secured with a pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick release locking pin mechanism. They are used as a connecting link in all manner of rigging… …   Wikipedia

  • shackle — {{11}}shackle (n.) O.E. sceacel, from P.Gmc. *skakula (Cf. M.Du., Du. schakel link of a chain, O.N. skökull pole of a carriage ), of uncertain origin. The common notion of something to fasten or attach makes a connection with shake unlikely.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • shackle — I UK [ˈʃæk(ə)l] / US noun [countable, usually plural] Word forms shackle : singular shackle plural shackles 1) mainly literary something that prevents you from doing what you want to do 2) one of a pair of connected metal rings that can be locked …   English dictionary

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