hobble

¹hob·ble

verb \ˈhä-bəl\

hob·bledhob·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of HOBBLE

intransitive verb

: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; especially : to limp along

transitive verb

1

: to cause to limp : make lame : cripple

2

[probably alteration of hopple to hobble]

a : to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying : fetter

b : to place under handicap : hamper, impede

— hob·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of HOBBLE

1. She picked up her cane and hobbled across the room.
2. She is sometimes hobbled by self-doubt.
3. He has been hobbled by a knee injury.

Origin of HOBBLE

Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HOBBLE

Synonyms

clog, cramp, embarrass, encumber, fetter, handcuff, handicap, hinder, hamper, hog-tie, hold back, hold up, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle, short-circuit, stymie, tie up, trammel

Antonyms

aid, assist, facilitate, help

Related Words

balk, check, constrain, curb, rein, restrain; bind, chain, halter, leash, tether, tie; arrest, brake, delay, retain, retard; barricade, block, blockade, roadblock; bog (down), mire; choke, smother, stifle, strangle, suffocate; baffle, foil, frustrate, stump, thwart; derail, disrupt, sabotage; muzzle, repress, suppress; confine, hedge (in), hem (in)

Near Antonyms

clear, make way, open, unclog, unplug, unstop; free, liberate, release, untie; loosen, smooth; encourage, further, promote

Rhymes with HOBBLE

bobble, cobble, gobble, Kabul, nobble, obol, squabble, wobble

²hobble

noun

Definition of HOBBLE

1

: a hobbling movement

2

archaic : an awkward situation

3

: something used to hobble an animal

First Known Use of HOBBLE

1726

Rhymes with HOBBLE

bobble, cobble, gobble, squabble, wobble