HANDCUFF

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does handcuff mean? 

• HANDCUFF (noun)
  The noun HANDCUFF has 1 sense:

1. shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs

  Familiarity information: HANDCUFF used as a noun is very rare.

• HANDCUFF (verb)
  The verb HANDCUFF has 1 sense:

1. confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

  Familiarity information: HANDCUFF used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HANDCUFF (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cuff; handcuff; handlock; manacle

Hypernyms ("handcuff" is a kind of...):

bond; hamper; shackle; trammel (a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner))

Derivation:

handcuff (confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs)

• HANDCUFF (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they handcuff    ... he / she / it handcuffs   
Past simple: handcuffed   
Past participle: handcuffed   
-ing form: handcuffing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

cuff; handcuff; manacle

Context example:

The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime

Hypernyms (to "handcuff" is one way to...):

fetter; shackle (restrain with fetters)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to handcuff the prisoners

Derivation:

handcuff (shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs)

 Context examples 

And yet, though I even removed the handcuffs, we could not adjust ourselves to his condition.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

You will need your handcuffs, Inspector.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

You have health and much to live for, and you must be handcuffed to life somehow.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

There was the click of the closing handcuffs.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands,” remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Mary Anne's cousin deserted into our coal-hole, and was brought out, to our great amazement, by a piquet of his companions in arms, who took him away handcuffed in a procession that covered our front-garden with ignominy.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

In an instant Holmes clapped a pistol to his head, and Martin slipped the handcuffs over his wrists.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I recollected the handcuffs in his state-room, which he preferred to use on sailors instead of the ancient and clumsy ship irons.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

With the bound of a tiger Holmes was on his back, and an instant later Lestrade and I had him by either wrist, and the handcuffs had been fastened.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

So, when we left him, he lay handcuffed hand and foot.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)