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Definition of shackle
1 : something (such as a manacle or fetter) that confines the legs or arms
2 : something that checks or prevents free action as if by fetters —usually used in plural
3 : a usually U-shaped fastening device secured by a bolt or pin through holes in the end of the two arms
4 : a length of cable or anchor chain of usually 15 fathoms
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Examples of shackle in a Sentence
placed shackles on the legs of the prisoners
the shackles of illiteracy can be just as confining as leg irons
Recent Examples of shackle from the Web
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Why wouldn’t tell the story of a people who arrived on these shores in shackles, and now spend over $1 trillion dollars a year?
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Supervisors and commanders can determine if a shift requires additional deputies, who are directed to always double-lock handcuffs and secure detainees considered high-risk transports with a belly band and leg shackles.
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Just as the movement of a beautiful dancer would be destroyed by shackles, the majesty of an open, sandy beach can be killed by hard shoreline armoring, such as seawalls.
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The court docket indicates he was brought into court in leg shackles.
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Sylve was sitting on the witness stand in shackles and an orange Orleans Parish jail sweatshirt.
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He was dressed in the brown garb of prisoners, with shackles on his wrists and ankles, said Moussa Abdallat, a lawyer not connected to the case who was present in the courtroom.
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The federal courtroom is silent except for the clang of shackles on Rice's wrists and ankles and her muffled sobs.
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The two talked over each other until Jackson, restrained in shackles, was removed from the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shackle'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of shackle
Middle English schakel, from Old English sceacul; akin to Old Norse skǫkull pole of a cart
Examples of shackle in a Sentence
The guard shackled the prisoner.
unwilling to shackle the dogs to the wall of the house
First Known Use of shackle
15th century
Synonym Discussion of shackle
SHACKLE Defined for English Language Learners
shackle
playDefinition of shackle for English Language Learners
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: one of two rings or bands that are placed around a person's wrists or ankles and that are connected by a chain
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shackles : something that prevents people from acting freely
shackle
Definition of shackle for English Language Learners
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: to put shackles on (someone or something)
SHACKLE Defined for Kids
Definition of shackle for Students
1 : a ring or band that prevents free use of the legs or arms
2 : something that prevents free action The country was freed from the shackles of oppression.
Definition of shackle for Students
shackled
;shackling
1 : to bind or fasten with a ring or band placed on the legs or arms
2 : to prevent free action
Learn More about shackle
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See words that rhyme with shackle Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shackle Spanish Central: Translation of shackle Nglish: Translation of shackle for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shackle for Arabic speakers
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