trammel

¹tram·mel

noun \ˈtra-məl\

Definition of TRAMMEL

1

: a net for catching birds or fish; especially : one having three layers with the middle one finer-meshed and slack so that fish passing through carry some of the center net through the coarser opposite net and are trapped

2

: an adjustable pothook for a fireplace crane

3

: a shackle used for making a horse amble

4

: something impeding activity, progress, or freedom : restraint —usually used in plural

5

a : an instrument for drawing ellipses

b : a compass for drawing large circles that consists of a beam with two sliding parts —usually used in plural

c : any of various gauges used for aligning or adjusting machine parts

Examples of TRAMMEL

1. <students and parents who want to throw off the trammels of outdated school policies>

Origin of TRAMMEL

Middle English tramayle, a kind of net, from Old French tramail, from Late Latin tremaculum, from Latin tres three + macula mesh, spot — more at three

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TRAMMEL

Synonyms

balk, bar, block, chain, clog, cramp, crimp, deterrent, drag, embarrassment, fetter, handicap, hindrance, holdback, hurdle, impediment, inhibition, interference, let, manacle, obstacle, obstruction, shackles, stop, stumbling block, encumbrance

Related Words

catch, hitch, rub, snag; barrier, blockade, blockage, brick wall, stone wall; arrest, bit, brake, check, constraint, curb, hobble, rein, restraint; embargo, stoppage; delay, holdup, stall; burden, cumber, load; danger, hazard, peril, reef; adversity, difficulty, disadvantage, drawback, hardship

Near Antonyms

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

Rhymes with TRAMMEL

camel, mammal, stammel, Tamil

²trammel

transitive verb

trammeled or trammelledtrammel·ing or trammel·ling \ˈtra-mə-liŋ, ˈtram-liŋ\

Definition of TRAMMEL

1

: to catch or hold in or as if in a net : enmesh

2

: to prevent or impede the free play of : confine

Examples of TRAMMEL

1. laws that trammel our rights as citizens
2. <years after his death, she was still trammeled by inconsolable grief for her deceased husband>

First Known Use of TRAMMEL

circa 1606

Related to TRAMMEL

Synonyms

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

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