Definition of trammel
trammeled
ortrammelled
;trammeling
ortrammelling
play \ˈtra-mə-liŋ, ˈtram-liŋ\From the M-W Editors
trammel was our Word of the Day on 11/23/2011. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of trammel in a Sentence
students and parents who want to throw off the trammels of outdated school policies
Did You Know?
A trammel fishing net traditionally has three layers, with the middle one finer-meshed and slack so that fish passing through the first net carry some of the center net through the coarser third net and are trapped. Appropriately, "trammel" traces back to the Late Latin tremaculum, which comes from Latin tres, meaning "three," and macula, meaning "mesh." Today, "trammels" is synonymous with "restraints," and "trammel" is also used as a verb meaning "to confine" or "to enmesh." You may also run across the adjective untrammeled, meaning "not confined or limited."
First Known Use of trammel
circa 1606
Synonym Discussion of trammel
trammel
Definition of trammel
1 : something impeding activity, progress, or freedom : restraint —usually used in plural
2 : 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
3 : an adjustable pothook for a fireplace crane
4 : a shackle used for making a horse amble
5a : an instrument for drawing ellipsesb : a compass for drawing large circles that consists of a beam with two sliding parts —usually used in pluralc : any of various gauges used for aligning or adjusting machine parts
Examples of trammel in a Sentence
laws that trammel our rights as citizens
years after his death, she was still trammeled by inconsolable grief for her deceased husband
Origin and Etymology 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
TRAMMEL Defined for English Language Learners
trammel
Definition of trammel for English Language Learners
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: to limit or restrict (something or someone) unfairly
Learn More about trammel
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See words that rhyme with trammel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trammel Nglish: Translation of trammel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trammel for Arabic speakers
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