shackle

American  

[shak-uhl] / ˈʃæk əl /

noun

1. a ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle, etc.; fetter.

   Synonyms:

   gyve, handcuff, manacle, chain

2. a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.

3. the U -shaped bar of a padlock, one end of which is pivoted or sliding, the other end of which can be released, as for passing through a staple, and then fastened, as for securing a hasp.

4. any of various fastening or coupling devices.

5. Often shackles. anything that serves to prevent freedom of procedure, thought, etc.

   Synonyms:

   encumbrance, impediment, obstruction, obstacle

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verb (used with object)

shackled, shackling

1. to put a shackle or shackles on; confine or restrain by a shackle or shackles.

   Synonyms:

   fetter, restrict, hobble, handcuff, chain

   Antonyms:

   free, liberate

2. to fasten or couple with a shackle.

3. to restrain in action, thought, etc., as by restrictions; restrict the freedom of.

   Synonyms:

   dull, stultify, slow, impede, trammel

   Antonyms:

   free, liberate

shackle British  

/ ˈʃækəl /

noun

1. (often plural) a metal ring or fastening, usually part of a pair used to secure a person's wrists or ankles; fetter

2. (often plural) anything that confines or restricts freedom

3. a rope, tether, or hobble for an animal

4. a U-shaped bracket, the open end of which is closed by a bolt ( shackle pin ), used for securing ropes, chains, etc

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verb

1. to confine with or as if with shackles

2. to fasten or connect with a shackle

Other Word Forms

• shackler noun

Etymology

Origin of shackle

before 1000; (noun) Middle English schakle, schakyl ( le ); Old English sceacel fetter; cognate with Low German schakel hobble, Old Norse skǫkull wagon pole, (v.) late Middle English schaklyn, derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

Walshe didn’t show emotion when the verdict was read aloud or when he was led from the courtroom in shackles.

From The Wall Street Journal

In October 2024, for the abolition quarter, the panel picked a Douglass image on the obverse, or front, and a reverse design showing a shackled hand and a fist breaking free.

From The Wall Street Journal

They arrived at Durban's international airport on Tuesday under heavy police guard, with their hands and feet shackled.

From BBC

Clients of Grant, Ronson, Greene & Associates escape their marriage shackles with a hoard of treasure — there’s an entire subplot pinned to bidding on a brooch in a Christie’s auction, in fact.

From Salon

As Parias left the courtroom in shackles his son tearfully shouted out to him in Spanish.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bind
• confine
• cuff
• handcuff
• tie up