manacle

¹man·a·cle

noun \ˈma-ni-kəl\

Definition of MANACLE

1

: a shackle for the hand or wrist : handcuff —usually used in plural

2

: something used as a restraint

Examples of MANACLE

1. <manacles prevented the bear from roaming beyond a very small area>
2. <the warring groups need to shake off the manacle of their troubled past and learn to live with one another in peace>

Origin of MANACLE

Middle English manicle, from Anglo-French, from Latin manicula handle, diminutive of manicae shackles, armor for the hand, from manus hand — more at manual

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MANACLE

Synonyms: band, bind, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), fetter, handcuff(s), irons, ligature, manacle(s), shackle

Related Words: captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction; entanglement, net, trammel, trap; collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket); fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

Near Antonyms: catalyst, goad, impetus, incentive, spur, stimulant, stimulus; advantage, break, edge; aid, assistance, benefit, boost, handmaiden (also handmaid), help

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with MANACLE

panicle, sanicle