I. ˈhan-di-ˌkap, -dē- noun
Etymology: obsolete English handicap, a game in which forfeit money was held in a cap, from hand in cap
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
II. transitive verb
( -capped ; -cap·ping )
Date: 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