Entry Word: handicap

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a feature of someone or something that creates difficulty for achieving success <her shyness was not a handicap when she played chess, and she went on to become the school chess champion> — see disadvantage
2 something that makes movement or progress more difficult <having to walk in high heels for the first time was a bit of a handicap, and Ariel preceded the bride very carefully> — see encumbrance