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

As long as the press remains shackled by the gilded chains of billionaire overlords, freedom lies in chains as well, leaving us in a world of corporate domination.

From Salon

They have also thrown off the indie shackles on a special edition of Gary featuring cover versions of songs by acts ranging from Bob Marley to Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston.

From BBC

Their parents, David and Louise Turpin, pleaded guilty in 2019 to torture and years of abuse that included shackling some of their 13 children and starving them and providing only a minimal education.

From Los Angeles Times

Routh briefly entered a federal courtroom in Florida on Monday morning for his initial appearance, wearing a dark blue jail jumpsuit with his arms and legs shackled, the Associated Press reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Pittsburgh Steelers' Justin Fields started ahead of injured Russell Wilson, but the focus is on the fearsome defence they have again this year, which shackled Kirk Cousins in his Atlanta Falcons debut.

From BBC

Related Words

• handcuff
• irons