v. & n.
--v.
1. intr. a walk lamely; limp. b proceed haltingly in action or speech (hobbled lamely to his conclusion).
2 tr. a tie together the legs of (a horse etc.) to prevent it from straying. b tie (a horse's etc. legs).
3 tr. cause (a person etc.) to limp.
--n.
1. an uneven or infirm gait.
2 a rope, clog, etc. used for hobbling a horse etc.
Phrases and idioms:
hobble skirt a skirt so narrow at the hem as to impede walking.
Derivatives:
hobbler n.
Etymology: ME, prob. f. LG: cf. HOPPLE and Du. hobbelen rock from side to side