Shackle

Quick meaning: Shackle is a noun meaning 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.

Meaning

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.

More Meanings

1. (figurative, usually in the plural) A restraint on one's action, activity, or progress.
2. To place (a person or animal) in shackles (noun etymology 1 sense 1); to immobilize or restrain using shackles.
3. To connect or couple (something) to another thing using a shackle (noun etymology 1 sense 1.1.1, etymology 1 sense 1.1.3, etc.).
4. To provide (something) with a shackle.
5. (usually in the 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.
6. (nautical) 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).
7. To inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something); to render (someone or something) incapable or ineffectual.

Example Sentences

The prisoner lay in shackles in his gloomy cell.

Cast off the shackles of yesterday! / Shoulder to shoulder into the fray!

Virtue's a Shackle, under fair Diſguiſe, / To fetter Fools, vvhile vve bear off the Prize.

[A] Servant commonly is leſs free in Mind than in Condition; his very VVill ſeems to be in bonds and ſhackles, and Deſire it ſelf under a kind of Durance and Captivity.

Word Forms

• shackles
• shackling
• shackled
• shacklest
• shackledst
• shackleth

Synonyms for shackle

Depending on context, synonyms include fetter, beshackle, cuff, enshackle, handcuff, manacle.

Antonyms for shackle

Common opposites include uncuff, unfetter, unhandcuff, unmanacle, unshackle, free.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include fetter, trammel, hamper, pinion, bond, trammels.

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