trammel

[ tram-uhl ]

noun

1. Usually trammels. a hindrance or impediment to free action; restraint:

   the trammels of custom.

   Synonyms: inhibition, hobble, curb, drag

2. an instrument for drawing ellipses.
3. Also called tram. a device used to align or adjust parts of a machine.
4. trammel net.
5. a fowling net.
6. a contrivance hung in a fireplace to support pots or kettles over the fire.
7. a fetter or shackle, especially one used in training a horse to amble.

verb (used with object)

, tram·meled, tram·mel·ing or (especially British) tram·melled, tram·mel·ling.

1. to involve or hold in trammels; restrain.

   Synonyms: obstruct, impede, hinder, encumber

2. to catch or entangle in or as in a net.

trammel

/ ˈtræməl /

noun

1. often plural a hindrance to free action or movement
2. Also calledtrammel net a fishing net in three sections, the two outer nets having a large mesh and the middle one a fine mesh
3. rare.
   a fowling net
4. a fetter or shackle, esp one used in teaching a horse to amble
5. a device for drawing ellipses consisting of a flat sheet of metal, plastic, or wood having a cruciform slot in which run two pegs attached to a beam. The free end of the beam describes an ellipse
6. sometimes plural another name for beam compass
7. Also calledtram a gauge for setting up machines correctly
8. a device set in a fireplace to support cooking pots

verb

1. to hinder or restrain
2. to catch or ensnare
3. to produce an accurate setting of (a machine adjustment), as with a trammel

Derived Forms

• ˈtrammeller, noun

Other Words From

• tram·mel·er especially British, tram·mel·ler noun
• un·tram·meled especially British, un·tram·melled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trammel¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English tramayle, from Middle French tramail, variant of tremail “three-mesh net,” from Late Latin trēmaculum, equivalent to Latin trē(s) “three” + macula “mesh”; three

Word History and Origins

Origin of trammel¹

C14: from Old French tramail three-mesh net, from Late Latin trēmaculum , from Latin trēs three + macula hole, mesh in a net

Example Sentences

In the emotional chat with director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammel, Ari was told she was being dropped because there were only 36 spaces, without much further explanation.

From BBC

The Wings have built a solid foundation under first-year coach Latricia Trammel led by All-Stars Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally.

From Seattle Times

The Wings have built a solid foundation under first-year coach Latricia Trammel led by All-Stars Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally.

From Washington Times

The Mariners’ lone run came off a solo home run by Taylor Trammel in the eighth.

From Los Angeles Times

What trade value do guys like Trammel, Torrens, and Fraley have?

From Seattle Times