/ ˈhændikæp; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C , U ] (becoming old-fashioned , sometimes offensive ) a permanent physical or mental condition that makes it difficult or impossible to use a particular part of your body or mind
SYN disability :
Despite her handicap, Jane is able to hold down a full-time job.
mental / physical / visual handicap
➡ note at disabled
2.
[ C ] something that makes it difficult for sb to do sth
SYN obstacle :
Not speaking the language proved to be a bigger handicap than I'd imagined.
3.
[ C ] ( sport ) a race or competition in which the most skilful must run further, carry extra weight, etc. in order to give all those taking part an equal chance of winning; the disadvantage that is given to sb you are competing against in such a race or competition
4.
[ C ] ( in golf ) an advantage given to a weaker player so that competition is more equal when they play against a stronger player. It is expressed as a number related to the number of times a player hits the ball and gets lower as he/she improves.
■ verb
( -pp- ) [ vn ] [ usually passive ] to make sth more difficult for sb to do :
British exports have been handicapped by the strong pound.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from the phrase hand in cap ; originally a pastime in which one person claimed an article belonging to another and offered something in exchange, any difference in value being decided by an umpire. All three deposited forfeit money in a cap; the two opponents showed their agreement or disagreement with the valuation by bringing out their hands either full or empty. If both were the same, the umpire took the forfeit money; if not it went to the person who accepted the valuation. The term handicap race was applied (late 18th cent.) to a horse race in which an umpire decided the weight to be carried by each horse, the owners showing acceptance or dissent in a similar way: hence in the late 19th cent. handicap came to mean the extra weight given to the superior horse.