[hand.i.cap] n [obs. E handicap (a game in which forfeit money was held in a cap), fr. hand in cap] (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 usu. 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: a physical disability
[2]handicap vt -capped ; -cap.ping (1852) 1 a: to give a handicap to b: to assess the relative winning chances of (contestants) or the likely winner of (a contest)
2: to put at a disadvantage