[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

shackle \shac"kle\, n.
   stubble. prov. eng. --pegge.
   1913 webster

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

shackle \shac"kle\, n. generally used in the plural. oe.
   schakkyll, schakle, as. scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr.
   scacan to shake; cf. d. schakel a link of a chain, a mesh,
   icel. sk"okull the pole of a cart. see shake.
   1. something which confines the legs or arms so as to prevent
      their free motion; specifically, a ring or band inclosing
      the ankle or wrist, and fastened to a similar shackle on
      the other leg or arm, or to something else, by a chain or
      a strap; a gyve; a fetter.
      1913 webster

            his shackles empty left; himself escaped clean.
                                                  --spenser.
      1913 webster

   2. hence, that which checks or prevents free action.
      1913 webster

            his very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.
                                                  --south.
      1913 webster

   3. a fetterlike band worn as an ornament.
      1913 webster

            most of the men and women . . . had all earrings
            made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and
            arms.                                 --dampier.
      1913 webster

   4. a link or loop, as in a chain, fitted with a movable bolt,
      so that the parts can be separated, or the loop removed; a
      clevis.
      1913 webster

   5. a link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also
      drawlink, draglink, etc.
      1913 webster

   6. the hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is
      hung to the staple. --knight.
      1913 webster

   shackle joint anat., a joint formed by a bony ring
      passing through a hole in a bone, as at the bases of
      spines in some fishes.
      1913 webster
see also:
shake drawlink draglink shackle joint 

[3] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

shackle \shac"kle\, v. t. imp.  p. p. shackled; p. pr.  vb.
   n. shackling.
   1. to tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free
      motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain.
      1913 webster

            to lead him shackled, and exposed to scorn
            of gathering crowds, the britons' boasted chief.
                                                  --j. philips.
      1913 webster

   2. figuratively: to bind or confine so as to prevent or
      embarrass action; to impede; to cumber.
      1913 webster

            shackled by her devotion to the king, she seldom
            could pursue that object.             --walpole.
      1913 webster

   3. to join by a link or chain, as railroad cars. u. s.
      1913 webster

   shackle bar, the coupling between a locomotive and its
      tender. u.s.

   shackle bolt, a shackle. --sir w. scott.
      1913 webster
see also:
shackled shackling shackle bar shackle bolt 

[4] : WordNet (r) 2.0

shackle
     n 1: a restraint that confines or restricts freedom especially
          something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner syn:
           bond, hamper, trammel, trammels
     2: a u-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain
        links and closed with a bar
     v 1: bind the arms of syn: pinion
     2: restrain with fetters syn: fetter
see also:
bond hamper trammel trammels pinion fetter 

[5] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

171 moby thesaurus words for "shackle":
   oregon boat, anchor, arrest, bar, barrier, bearing rein, bilbo,
   bind, bit, bond, bonds, bottle up, box up, bracelets, brake,
   bridle, burden, cage, camisole, chain, chains, check, checkrein,
   chock, clog, cloister, collar, confine, constrain, control, coop,
   coop in, coop up, cork up, countercheck, cramp, crib, cripple,
   cuffs, cumber, curb, curb bit, damper, detain, deter, deterrent,
   discourage, doorstop, drag, drag sail, drift anchor, drift sail,
   drogue, embarrass, encage, enchain, enclose, encumber, encumbrance,
   enmesh, ensnarl, entangle, entoil, entrammel, entrap, entwine,
   fasten, fence in, fetter, fetters, gag, gyve, gyves, halter,
   hamper, hamstring, handcuff, handcuffs, handicap, hem in, hinder,
   hindrance, hobble, hobbles, hog-tie, hold, hold back,
   hold in custody, hold in restraint, holdback, hopple, hopples,
   immure, impede, impediment, impound, inhibit, involve, irons,
   keep in, keep in custody, keep in detention, lame, lash,
   leading strings, leash, lime, limit, lumber, make fast, manacle,
   martingale, mew, mew up, moor, muzzle, net, obstacle, obstruction,
   peg down, pelham, pen, pen up, picket, pillory, pin down, pinion,
   pound, press down, put in irons, rail in, rein, reins, remora,
   restrain, restraint, restraints, restrict, restriction, rope,
   saddle with, scotch, sea anchor, seal up, secure, shackles,
   shut in, shut up, snaffle, snarl, spoke, stay, stocks, stop,
   straightjacket, strait-waistcoat, straitjacket, stranglehold,
   strap, tangle, tether, tie, tie down, tie up, toil, trammel,
   trammels, truss, wall in, weigh down, yoke

Shackle >> S Words
Shackle, definition of term: Shackle
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