/ ˈhæmstrɪŋ; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
one of the five tendons behind the knee that connect the muscles of the upper leg to the bones of the lower leg :
a hamstring injury
She's pulled a hamstring.
2.
a tendon behind the middle joint (= hock ) of the back leg of a horse and some other animals
■ verb
( ham·strung , ham·strung / ˈhæmstrʌŋ; NAmE /) [ vn ] [ often passive ] to prevent sb/sth from working or taking action in the way that is needed
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WORD ORIGIN
16th cent.: from ham back of the thigh + string .