I. ˈtra-məl noun
Etymology: Middle English tramayle, a kind of net, from Old French tramail, from Late Latin tremaculum, from Latin tres three + macula mesh, spot — more at three
Date: 14th century
1. : a net for catching birds or fish ; especially : one having three layers with the middle one finer-meshed and slack so that fish passing through carry some of the center net through the coarser opposite net and are trapped
2. : an adjustable pothook for a fireplace crane
3. : a shackle used for making a horse amble
4. : something impeding activity, progress, or freedom : restraint — usually used in plural
5.
a. : an instrument for drawing ellipses
b. : a compass for drawing large circles that consists of a beam with two sliding parts — usually used in plural
c. : any of various gauges used for aligning or adjusting machine parts
II. transitive verb
( -meled or -melled ; -mel·ing or tram·mel·ling ˈtra-mə-liŋ, ˈtram-liŋ)
Date: circa 1606
1. : to catch or hold in or as if in a net : enmesh
2. : to prevent or impede the free play of : confine
Synonyms: see hamper