SHACKLE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does shackle mean? 

• SHACKLE (noun)
  The noun SHACKLE has 2 senses:

1. a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)

2. a U-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain links and closed with a bar

  Familiarity information: SHACKLE used as a noun is rare.

• SHACKLE (verb)
  The verb SHACKLE has 2 senses:

1. bind the arms of

2. restrain with fetters

  Familiarity information: SHACKLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SHACKLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

bond; hamper; shackle; trammel

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

constraint; restraint (a device that retards something's motion)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "shackle"):

ball and chain (heavy iron ball attached to a prisoner by a chain)

fetter; hobble (a shackle for the ankles or feet)

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

chains; irons (metal shackles; for hands or legs)

Derivation:

shackle (restrain with fetters)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A U-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain links and closed with a bar

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

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

bar (a rigid piece of metal or wood; usually used as a fastening or obstruction or weapon)

Holonyms ("shackle" is a part of...):

padlock (a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and then snapped shut)

• SHACKLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they shackle    ... he / she / it shackles   
Past simple: shackled   
Past participle: shackled   
-ing form: shackling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bind the arms of

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

pinion; shackle

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

confine; constrain; hold; restrain (to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They want to shackle the prisoners

Sense 2

Meaning:

Restrain with fetters

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

fetter; shackle

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

confine; constrain; hold; restrain (to close within bounds, or otherwise limit or deprive of free movement)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "shackle"):

cuff; handcuff; manacle (confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to shackle the prisoners

Derivation:

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

 Context examples 

“Yes,” she said, “but now it no longer shackles him. He is a free spirit.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Insidiously, and by remote ways, as well as by the power of stick and stone and clout of hand, were the shackles of White Fang's bondage being riveted upon him.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Mr. Micawber being now on the eve of casting off the pecuniary shackles that have so long enthralled him, said Mrs. Micawber, and of commencing a new career in a country where there is sufficient range for his abilities,—which, in my opinion, is exceedingly important; Mr. Micawber's abilities peculiarly requiring space,—it seems to me that my family should signalize the occasion by coming forward.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Shackled he was, hand an’ foot, with his mate.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The feel of spring was in the air, the feel of growing life under the snow, of sap ascending in the trees, of buds bursting the shackles of the frost.

(White Fang, by Jack London)