shackle

Etymology

From Middle English schakkyl, schakle, from Old English sceacel, sceacul, scacul (“shackle, bond, fetter”), from Proto-Germanic *skakulaz (“shackle”), from Proto-Indo-European *skeg-, *skek- (“to jump, move, shake, stir”), equivalent to shake +‎ -le. Cognate with Dutch schakel (“link, shackle, clasp”), German Schäckel (“shackle”), Danish skagle (“a carriage trace”), Swedish skakel (“the loose shaft of a carriage”), Icelandic skökull (“a carriage pole”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ækəl

Noun

shackle (plural shackles)

1. A restraint fit over a human or animal appendage, such as a wrist, ankle or finger. Usually used in plural, to indicate a pair joined by a chain; a hobble.
2. 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.
3. (figuratively, usually in the plural) A restraint on one's action, activity, or progress.
   • South

     His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.

4. A fetter-like band worn as an ornament.
   • Dampier

     Most of the men and women […] had all earrings made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and arms.

5. A link for connecting railroad cars; a drawlink or draglink.
6. A length of cable or chain equal to 12.5 fathoms or 75 feet, or later to 15 fathoms.
7. Stubble.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Pegge to this entry?)

Verb

shackle (third-person singular simple present shackles, present participle shackling, simple past and past participle shackled)

1. To restrain using shackles; to place in shackles.
2. By extension, to render immobile or incapable; to inhibit the progress or abilities of someone or something.

   This law would effectively shackle its opposition.

   • 2011 February 12, Phil McNulty, “Man Utd 2 - 1 Man City”, in BBC‎:

     Rooney, superbly shackled by City defender Vincent Kompany for so long as Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, had previously cut a forlorn and frustrated figure but his natural instincts continue to serve him and United so well.

Anagrams

• hackles

Etymology

From Old English sceacel, sceacul, scacul (“shackle, bond, fetter”), from Proto-Germanic *skakulaz (“shackle”), from Proto-Indo-European *skeg-, *skek- (“to jump, move, shake, stir”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ʃakl], [ʃekl]

Noun

shackle (plural shackles)

1. shackle, fetter, manacle
2. (anatomy) wrist

Verb

shackle (third-person singular present shackles, present participle shacklin, past shackelt, past participle shackelt)

1. to shackle