darbies

American  

[dahr-beez] / ˈdɑr biz /

plural noun

British Slang.

1. handcuffs; manacles.

---

darbies British  

/ ˈdɑːbɪz /

plural noun

1. short for handcuffs See handcuff

---

Etymology

Origin of darbies

First recorded in 1565–75; probably from the phrase Darby's bonds a rigid bond, perhaps named after a noted 16th-century usurer

Example Sentences

The great escapist simply banged the darbies on the pillar and walked off.

From Time Magazine Archive

That's not in my department, I shall have the darbies on him some day.

From The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851 by Various

Here, constables, put the darbies on 'em, and take 'em back to Hobarton.'

From The Book of the Bush Containing Many Truthful Sketches Of The Early Colonial Life Of Squatters, Whalers, Convicts, Diggers, And Others Who Left Their Native Land And Never Returned by Macfarlane, J.

He will scour the darbies; he will be in fetters.

From 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue by Grose, Francis

Being a bit to the good in strength, and knowing something about the game, downed him after a while and got the darbies on him.

From The Gem Collector by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)