shackle

[shak-uhl]

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

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

/ 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

verb

1. to confine with or as if with shackles

2. to fasten or connect with a shackle

Other Word Forms

• shackler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle¹

Old English sceacel; related to Dutch schakel, Old Norse skokull wagon pole, Latin cingere to surround

Example Sentences

During the raid, workers were forced to sit on the floor of the factory as officers shackled their legs in scenes that sparked outrage in South Korea.

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Eliciting the most emotional responses from those who have seen the artifacts are the iron shackles, particularly several designed for children.

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

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There – with three weeks left for Landor to serve – the warden ignored the judicial order, directing guards to shackle Landor and forcibly shave his head.

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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.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bind 
• confine 
• cuff 
• handcuff 
• tie up