n.
Pronunciation: ' han-di- ˌ kap, -d ē -
Function: noun
Etymology: obsolete English handicap, a game in which forfeit money was held in a capitalized, from hand in capitalized
Date: 1754
1 a : a race or contest in which an artificial advantage is given or disadvantage imposed on a contestant to equalize chances of winning b : an advantage given or disadvantage imposed usually in the form of points, strokes, weight to be carried, or distance from the target or goal
2 a : a disadvantage that makes achievement unusually difficult b sometimes offensive : a physical disability