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View synonyms for

shackle

[ shak-uhl ]

noun

  1. a ring or other fastening, as of iron, for securing the wrist, ankle, etc.; fetter.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  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.

    Synonyms: , , ,



verb (used with object)

shackled, shackling.
  1. to put a shackle or shackles on; confine or restrain by a shackle or shackles.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. to fasten or couple with a shackle.
  3. to restrain in action, thought, etc., as by restrictions; restrict the freedom of.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms: ,

shackle

/ ˈʃæə /

noun

  1. often plural a metal ring or fastening, usually part of a pair used to secure a person's wrists or ankles; fetter
  2. often plural anything that confines or restricts freedom
  3. a rope, tether, or hobble for an animal
  4. a U-shaped bracket, the open end of which is closed by a bolt ( shackle pin ), used for securing ropes, chains, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to confine with or as if with shackles
  2. to fasten or connect with a shackle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ󲹳, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • 󲹳l noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle1

before 1000; (noun) Middle English schakle, schakyl ( le ); Old English sceacel fetter; cognate with Low German schakel hobble, Old Norse ǫܱ wagon pole, (v.) late Middle English schaklyn, derivative of the noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle1

Old English sceacel; related to Dutch schakel, Old Norse skokull wagon pole, Latin cingere to surround
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"It's him! It's him! I recognise his features," says Myrelis Casique Lopez, pointing at a photo of men shackled and cuffed on the floor of one of the most infamous prisons in the world.

From

"We start in that world where we're shackled, and then we exorcise it," Taylor explains.

From

She’s unnerved by the news images of undocumented immigrants being loaded onto planes, shackled like violent criminals, and returned to their native countries.

From

Rowan Halstead says his party, the Yorkshire Party, are the only group "not shackled" by national allegiances so would put this money and people in the region first.

From

Israeli doctors at this hospital have previously told the BBC shackling patients and forcing them to wear nappies is routine.

From

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shacketShackleton