shackle

[ shak-uhl ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: gyve, handcuff, manacle, chain

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: encumbrance, impediment, obstruction, obstacle

verb (used with object)

, shack·led, shack·ling.

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

   Synonyms: fetter, restrict, hobble, handcuff, chain

   Antonyms: free, liberate

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

   Synonyms: dull, stultify, slow, impede, trammel

   Antonyms: free, liberate

shackle

/ ˈʃækəl /

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

verb

1. to confine with or as if with shackles
2. to fasten or connect with a shackle

Derived Forms

• ˈshackler, noun

Other Words From

• shackler noun

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 skǫkull wagon pole, (v.) late Middle English schaklyn, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shackle¹

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

Example Sentences

We talked about what a Trump presidency could do to shackle the D.C. government, the near-term likelihood of D.C. statehood, and how Jain intends to influence legislators with no material leverage.

From Slate

The next cell, shown in court, was empty, without a toilet or shower — just three shackle points on the walls.

From New York Times

As the author of an investigative book on the Gray case, I obtained unreleased evidence showing that officers used excessive and deadly force on Gray when they stopped the van around the corner from where they arrested him and took him out of the van to shackle his legs, as some witnesses had told the media.

From Slate

He had earlier delivered an outstanding performance to shackle Erling Haaland, and his key role in the victory over the English champions was fitting because he has been more indispensable than ever in the past few months.

From BBC

A broken chain and shackle represents freedom from slavery.

From Salon

Related Words

• handcuff
• irons