— shackler , n.
/shak"euhl/ , n. , v. , shackled, shackling .
n.
1. a ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle, etc.; fetter.
2. a hobble or fetter for a horse or other animal.
3. the U-shaped bar of a padlock, one end of which is pivoted or sliding, the other end of which can be released, as for passing through a staple, and then fastened, as for securing a hasp.
4. any of various fastening or coupling devices.
5. Often, shackles . anything that serves to prevent freedom of procedure, thought, etc.
v.t.
6. to put a shackle or shackles on; confine or restrain by a shackle or shackles.
7. to fasten or couple with a shackle.
8. to restrain in action, thought, etc., as by restrictions; restrict the freedom of.
[ bef. 1000; (n.) ME schakle, schakyl ( le ); OE sceacel fetter; c. LG schakel hobble, ON skokull wagon pole, (v.) late ME schaklyn, deriv. of the n. ]
Syn. 1. chain, manacle, handcuff, gyve, bilboes. 5. obstacle, obstruction, impediment, encumbrance. 6. restrict, fetter, chain, handcuff, hobble. 8. trammel, impede, slow, stultify, dull.
Ant. 6, 8. liberate, free.