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

Other Legal Terms

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

Rhymes with MANACLE

panicle, sanicle

²manacle

transitive verb

man·a·cledman·a·cling \-k(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of MANACLE

1

: to confine (the hands) with manacles

2

: to make fast or secure : bind; broadly : to restrain from movement, progress, or action

Examples of MANACLE

1. <manacled the prisoner to the wall>
2. <in this situation, the police are manacled by unnecessary regulations>

First Known Use of MANACLE

14th century

Related to MANACLE

Synonyms

chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, bind, pinion, shackle, trammel

Antonyms

unbind, unfetter, unshackle

Related Words

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss; attach, fasten, join, link; confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede; limit, restrict; entangle, tangle

Near Antonyms

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue; undo, unfasten, untangle, untie; detach, disengage

See Synonym Discussion at hamper

Other Legal Terms

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