Dictionary

shackle en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈʃæk(ə)l/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈʃækl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From Middle English shakel, schakkyl, schakle (“a fetter, shackle; coupling used to connect a plough or wagon to a draft chain”), from Old English sċacul, sċeacel, sċeacul (“fetter, shackle”), from Proto-West Germanic *skakul, from Proto-Germanic *skakulaz (“shackle”), possibly from *skakaną (“to shake; to swing; to escape”), from Proto-Indo-European *skeg-, *skek- (“to shake; to stir”). However, this is doubted by the Oxford English Dictionary because *skeg-, *skek- lack the meaning of attaching or fastening. Etymology 1 sense 3 (“length of cable or chain equal to 12½ or 15 fathoms”) derives from the original distance between two shackles (etymology 1 sense 1.1.3) connecting lengths of cable or chain together. Cognates * Danish skagle (“carriage trace”) * Dutch schakel (“clasp; link; shackle”) * German Schäckel (“shackle”) * Icelandic skökull (“carriage pole”) * Swedish skakel (“loose shaft of a carriage”)

Meanings

1. (plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain.
   • As installed at Hormel's Fremont, Nebr[aska] plant, pleasanter and safer working conditions for hog dispatching personnel, […] are some other plus factors for this new hog sticking-bleeding method. […] Conveyors replace the shackle and shackle hoist and a precisely administered incision replaces catch-as-catch-can sticking. 1956 April 14, “Look … No Shackles, No Bruised Hams”, in Edward R. Swem, editor, The National Provisioner, volume 134, number 15, Chicago, Ill.: National Provisioner, Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 18, column 1:
   • Slaves cannot breathe in England; if their lungs / Receive our air, that moment they are free, / They touch our country and their ſhackles fall. / That's noble, and beſpeaks a nation proud / And jealous of the bleſſing. 1785, William Cowper, “Book II. The Time-piece.”, in The Task, a Poem, […], London: […] J[oseph] Johnson; […], →OCLC, page 47:
   • Tom got in, and Haley, drawing out from under the wagon seat a heavy pair of shackles, made them fast around each ankle. A smothered groan of indignation ran through the whole circle, […] 1851 June – 1852 April, Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The Property is Carried Off”, in Uncle Tom’s Cabin; or, Life among the Lowly, volume I, Boston, Mass.: John P[unchard] Jewett & Company; Cleveland, Oh.: Jewett, Proctor & Worthington, published 20 March 1852, →OCLC, page 147:
   • The prisoner lay in shackles in his gloomy cell.
2. (broadly, plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ A U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism, used for attaching things together while allowing for some degree of movement; a clevis.
3. (broadly, plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ Part of a padlock that consists of a loop of metal (round or square in cross section) that encompasses what is being secured by the lock.
4. (broadly, plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ A hook, ring, or other device for connecting, holding, lifting, etc.; specifically (nautical), a small incomplete ring secured with a bolt across the ends, used to connect lengths of cable or chain together, or to keep a porthole closed.
   • Shackles come in various sizes and are used to join recovery items to the vehicle or to each other. They come in two shapes and are known as either bow shackles or D-shackles. The bow shackle is the preferred shape because it permits easier attachment of bulky items and is the most common style of shackle now in use. 2019, Vic Widman, “4WD Recovery Equipment”, in 4WD Driving Skills: A Manual for On- and Off-road Travel, 2nd edition, Clayton South, Melbourne, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing, →ISBN, page 164:
5. (broadly, plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ Synonym of hobble or hopple (“a short strap tied between the legs of a horse, allowing it to wander a short distance but not to run off”).
   • Soles, fetters, ⁊ ſhackles, with horſelock and pad, / a cow-houſe for winter, ſo meete to be had: / A ſtie for a bore, and a hogſcote for hog, / a rooſt for thy hennes, and a couch for thy dog. 1580, Thomas Tusser, “A Digression to Husbandlie Furniture”, in Fiue Hundred Pointes of Good Husbandrie: […], London: […] Henrie Denham [beeing the assigne of William Seres] […], →OCLC, stanza 21, folios 16, verso – 17, recto:
   • IF a horſe be galled in the paſtorne, on the heele, or vpon the cronet, either vvith ſhackell or locke, as it many times happens in the Champion countries, vvhere the Farmers vſe much to teather their horſes: then for ſuch a ſoare you ſhall take hony and verdigreaſe, and boyle them together till the one halfe be conſumed, and that it looke red: then after it is a little cooled, you ſhall annoynt the ſoare place therevvith tvvice a day, and then ſtrevv upon it a little chopt floxe to keepe on the ſalue. 1610, Gervase Markham, “Of the Shackle-gall, or Gall in the Pastorne, either by Shackel or Locke”, in Markhams Maister-peece. Or, What doth a Horse-man Lacke. Containing All Possible Knowledge whatsoeuer which doth Belong to any Smith, Farrier, or Horse-leech, Touching the Curing of All Manner of Diseases or Sorrances in Horses; […], London: […] Nicholas Okes, and are to be sold by Arthur Iohnson, […], →OCLC, 2nd book (Containing All Cures Chyrurgicall, […]), page 364:
   • I should have thought some sleek and sober mule / Long train'd in shackles to procession pace, / More suited to my Lord of Seville's use / Than this good war-horse, . . 1814, Robert Southey, “Canto XXV”, in Roderick the Last of the Goths, London: […] [F]or Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […], by James Ballantyne and Co. […], →OCLC, page 318:
6. (broadly, plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ A link for connecting railroad cars; a draglink, drawbar, or drawlink.
7. (Scotland, abbreviation, alt-of, archaic, broadly, ellipsis, plural-normally) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ Ellipsis of shackle-bone (“wristbone, carpal; wrist”).
   alt of shackle-bone
8. (broadly, obsolete, plural-normally, rare) A restraint fitted over a human or animal appendage, such as an ankle, finger, or wrist, normally used in a pair joined by a chain. ▸ A fetter-like band worn on an appendage as an ornament; an anklet, an armlet, a bracelet, a wristlet.
   • [M]oſt of the Men and VVomen […] had all Ear-rings made of Gold, and Gold Shackles about their Legs and Arms: […] 1697, William Dampier, chapter XVIII, in A New Voyage Round the World. […], London: […] James Knapton, […], →OCLC, page 514:
   • They firſt vvaſh the dead body, paint him, clothe him, and ſo conueigh him to his Dormitorie, vvhich is ſpacious and neat, vvherein they bury his Armolets, Bracelets, Shackles and ſuch Treaſure, concluding their Ceremonies vvith Mimmicke geſtures and eiaculations: vvhich, vvith the Sacrifice of a Goat, vpon his Graue, puts a period to their Burials. 1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “[Angola]”, in A Relation of Some Yeares Trauaile, Begunne Anno 1626. into Afrique and the Greater Asia, […], London: […] William Stansby, and Jacob Bloome, →OCLC, pages 9–10:
9. (figuratively, plural-normally) A restraint on one's action, activity, or progress.
   • He had to eat with knife and fork; he had to use napkin, cup and plate; he had to learn his book, he had to go to church; he had to talk so properly that speech was become insipid in his mouth; whithersoever he turned, the bars and shackles of civilization shut him in and bound him hand and foot. 1876, Mark Twain [pseudonym; Samuel Langhorne Clemens], chapter XXXV, in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Hartford, Conn.: The American Publishing Company, →OCLC, pages 269–270:
   • Cast off the shackles of yesterday! / Shoulder to shoulder into the fray! 1963 April–December (date recorded), Richard M[orton] Sherman, Robert B[ernard] Sherman, “Sister Suffragette”, in Mary Poppins: Original Cast Soundtrack, performed by Glynis Johns, Burbank, Calif.: Buena Vista Distribution Company, published September 1964, →OCLC:
   • [A] Servant commonly is leſs free in Mind than in Condition; his very VVill ſeems to be in bonds and ſhackles, and Deſire it ſelf under a kind of Durance and Captivity. 1664; first published 1694, Robert South, “A Sermon Preached before the University, at Christ-Church, Oxon. 1664.”, in Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions. […], volume II, London: […] J[ohn] H[eptinstall] for Thomas Bennet […], →OCLC, page 69:
   • Virtue's a Shackle, under fair Diſguiſe, / To fetter Fools, vvhile vve bear off the Prize. 1728 (date written), Edward Young, The Brothers. A Tragedy. […], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley […], published 1753, →OCLC, Act II, page 27:
10. A length of cable or chain equal to 12½ fathoms (75 feet or about 22.9 metres), or later to 15 fathoms (90 feet or about 27.4 metres).
    • Once the cables are at five shackles to each anchor, stop engines and stop windlass operations. The vessel will then be seen to lie to five shackles on the Port (Riding Cable) and five shackles on the starboard (Sleeping Cable). 2007, David J. House, “Anchor Operations and Deployment”, in Ship Handling: Theory and Practice, Oxford, Oxfordshire; Burlington, Mass.: Butterworth-Heinemann, →ISBN, page 92:

Forms

Deriveds

enshackle · shackledom · spring shackle · shackled · D-shackle · harp shackle · shackle-bone · shackly · span shackle · beshackle · H-shackle · shackle joint · shackle bolt · shackleless

Hyponyms

legcuff · legcuff · hobble · wristlet · handcuff · wristlet · handcuff · hobble · hopple · legcuff · hopple · legcuff · handcuff · hobble · wristlet · handcuff · hopple · legcuff · handcuff · hobble · handcuff · hobble · wristlet · manacle · wristlet · hopple · manacle · legcuff · wristlet · manacle · hobble · wristlet · manacle · manacle · hopple · handcuff · hopple · hobble · manacle · hopple · hobble · manacle · legcuff · legcuff · manacle · wristlet · handcuff · hopple

Synonyms

fetter · fetter · dragbar · fetter · hopple · fetter · fetter · hobble · fetter · fetter · fetter

Translations (98)

gl grilón (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ca grilló (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ru соедини́тельная ско́ба (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · sq pranga (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ia ferros (restraint fitted over an appendage) · pl szekla (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · pdt Spaunsel (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi sakkeli (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · bg карабина (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · pt grilhetas (restraint fitted over an appendage) · it ceppo (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi koukku (hook, ring, or other device for connecting, holding, lifting, etc.) · mk амут (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ru у́зы (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ca grillons (restraint fitted over an appendage) · de Schäkel (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · gl ferros (restraint fitted over an appendage) · gl ferropea (restraint fitted over an appendage) · te సంకెళ్ళు (restraint fitted over an appendage) · it grillo (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ca grilló (restraint fitted over an appendage) · vi xiềng (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ru нару́чники (restraint fitted over an appendage) · uk пу́та (restraint on one’s action, etc. — see also restraint) · bg окови (restraint fitted over an appendage) · vi xích (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi kahleet (restraint on one’s action, etc. — see also restraint) · tr köstek (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · gl grillón (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · mk оков (restraint fitted over an appendage) · es grillete (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · no jern (restraint fitted over an appendage) · mk ам (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · uk хому́т (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · vi xiềng xích (restraint fitted over an appendage) · uk кайда́ни (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi 12,5 syltä (length of cable or chain equal to 12½ or 15 fathoms) · ru мо́чка (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ru хому́т (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ko 수갑 (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ota كوستك (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · pt grilhão (restraint fitted over an appendage) · hu béklyó (restraint fitted over an appendage) · cmn 手銬 /手铐 (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ru око́вы (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi 15 syltä (length of cable or chain equal to 12½ or 15 fathoms) · grc πέδη (restraint fitted over an appendage) · mk пранга (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi kahle (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fr menottes (restraint fitted over an appendage) · uk пу́то (restraint fitted over an appendage) · hu bilincs (restraint fitted over an appendage) · it ferri (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ar غِلّ (restraint fitted over an appendage) · nb sjakkel (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · nl boeien (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ru карабин (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ia manica (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fr fers (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ga iarnach (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ml വിലങ്ങ് (restraint fitted over an appendage) · el αγκύλιο (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · fr manille (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · it maniglione (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fi rengas (hook, ring, or other device for connecting, holding, lifting, etc.) · pt algema (restraint fitted over an appendage) · de Handschellen (restraint fitted over an appendage) · tr kelepçe (restraint fitted over an appendage) · tr pranga (restraint fitted over an appendage) · fr entrave (restraint on one’s action, etc. — see also restraint) · ru путы (restraint on one’s action, etc. — see also restraint) · es grillos (restraint fitted over an appendage) · da sjækkel (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · da jern (restraint fitted over an appendage) · nl sluiting (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · it ceppi (restraint fitted over an appendage) · eo mankateno (restraint fitted over an appendage) · pt ferros (restraint fitted over an appendage) · uk пу́та (restraint fitted over an appendage) · gl braga (restraint fitted over an appendage) · gl grillón (restraint fitted over an appendage) · it maniglia (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ja 手錠 (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ar قَيْد (restraint fitted over an appendage) · pt manilha (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · la vincula (restraint fitted over an appendage) · ang cosp (restraint fitted over an appendage) · he אֲזִקִּים (restraint fitted over an appendage) · got 𐌽𐌰𐌿𐌳𐌹𐌱𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌹 (restraint fitted over an appendage) · pl kajdany (restraint fitted over an appendage) · it anello con perno (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · sv boja (restraint fitted over an appendage) · gl esposas (restraint fitted over an appendage) · te బంధనాలు (restraint fitted over an appendage) · de Fessel (restraint fitted over an appendage) · es grillete (restraint fitted over an appendage) · nn sjakkel (U-shaped piece of metal secured with a bolt or pin across the ends for attaching things together) · ru кандалы́ (restraint fitted over an appendage)

wikipedia: Oxford English Dictionary

shackle en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /ˈʃæk(ə)l/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈʃækl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From Middle English schakelen, schakkylen (“(also figurative) to put (someone) in shackles; to protect (legs) with greaves”), from shakel, schakkyl, schakle (noun) (see etymology 1) + -en (suffix forming the infinitives of verbs).

Meanings

1. (transitive) To place (a person or animal) in shackles (noun etymology 1 sense 1); to immobilize or restrain using shackles.
   • Nae doubt it's a hard thing to skulk and starve in the heather, but it's harder yet to lie shackled in a red-coat prison. 1886 May 1 – July 31, Robert Louis Stevenson, “I Talk with Alan in the Wood of Lettermore”, in Kidnapped, being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: […], London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 1886, →OCLC, page 173:
   • The chariot jumps, on which thou art. Thou art troubled to hold up thy horses. If it falls into the abyss, the pole drags thee down too. Thy ceintures are pulled away. They fall down. Thou shacklest the horse, because the pole is broken on the path of the narrow pass. Not knowing how to bind it up, thou understandest not how it is to be repaired. 1879, Henry Brugsch-Bey [i.e., Heinrich Karl Brugsch], “The Nineteenth Dynasty. The People of the Khita.”, in Henry Danby Seymour, Philip Smith, transl., edited by Philip Smith, A History of Egypt under the Pharaohs: Derived Entirely from the Monuments […], volume II, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 107:
   • Huelydd, sub[stantive] a fetterer, he that shackleth or fettereth 1815, Thomas Richards, “Huelydd, sub.”, in Antiquæ Linguæ Britannicæ Thesaurus. A Welsh and English Dictionary: […], 2nd edition, Trefriw, Clwyd, Wales: […] I. Davies […], →OCLC, page 269, column 1:
   • A man giuen ouer to ſenſual appetite carrieth fetters in his eyes, vvhervvith he shackleth, glevv, vvhervvith he layeth faſt hold, hookes, vvhervvith he catcheth, flames vvhervvith he burneth, ſhafts, vvhervvith he transfixeth both his ovvne and the ſoules of other men: ſhackled vvith theſe fetters, caught vvith these hookes, burnt vvith theſe flames: transfixed vvith theſe shafts vvas the Aſſyrian Holofernes. 1633, Hier[emas] Drexlius [i.e., Jeremias Drexel], “The Fifth Allurement to Incontinency, Wandring Eyes”, in R. S. [Robert Stanford?], transl., Nicetas or The Triumph ouer Incontinencie […], [Rouen, Normandy]: […] [The widow of N. Courant], →OCLC, book I, § II, page 56:
2. (transitive) To connect or couple (something) to another thing using a shackle (noun etymology 1 sense 1.1.1, etymology 1 sense 1.1.3, etc.).
3. (transitive) To provide (something) with a shackle.
4. (figuratively, transitive) To inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something); to render (someone or something) incapable or ineffectual.
   • [Wayne] Rooney, superbly shackled by City defender Vincent Kompany for so long as [Alex] Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, had previously cut a forlorn and frustrated figure but his natural instincts continue to serve him and United so well. 2011 February 12, Phil McNulty, “Man Utd 2 – 1 Man City”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 08 May 2024:
   • Senator [Gale William] McGee. Again to make sure we haven't contradicted the record here, we do not construe anything you say here this morning to favor shackling the Commission? […] Mr. Jackson. No, sir. Well, this is a matter of semantics. By the same token, we don't—it is not our purpose to give them unrestricted power. 1962 February 22, Jack Jackson, “Statement of Jack Jackson, Director of Public Relations, the National Grange”, in All-channel Television Receivers: Hearings before the Communications Subcommittee of the Committee on Commerce, United States Senate, Eighty-seventh Congress, Second Session on S. 2109: A Bill to Amend the Communications Act of 1934 in Order to Give the Federal Communications Commission certain Regulatory Authority over Television Receiving Apparatus […], Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, →OCLC, page 240:
   • Some say the plague was brought by Hattie / There was talk of a hangin' too. / But the talk got shackled by the howls and the cackles / From the bowels of the Black Bayou. 1974 February 5, Jim Stafford, “Swamp Witch”, in Jim Stafford, performed by Jim Stafford, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Calif.: MGM Records, →OCLC:
   • Of it ſelfe it [the law] is the cord of a Iudge vvhich bindeth hand and foot, and ſhackleth unto condemnation; but by Chriſt it is made the cord of a man, and the band of Love, by vvhich he teacheth us to goe, even as a nurſe her infant. 1632, Edward Reynolds, “The Life of Christ: Or, The Fellowship of the Saints with Him, in His Life, Sufferings, and Resurrection”, in Three Treatises of The Vanity of the Creature. The Sinfulnesse of Sinne. The Life of Christ. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Felix Kyngston for Robert Bostocke, […], →OCLC, page 416:
   • [I]t were a plaine ſlauerie, ⁊ iniurie to, to ſhakkle and tye a good witte, and hinder the courſe of a mãs [man's] good nature with ſuch bondes of ſeruitude, in folowyng other. a. 1569 (date written), Roger Ascham, “[The Second Booke Teachyng the Ready Way to the Latin Tong]”, in Margaret Ascham, editor, The Scholemaster: Or Plaine and Perfite Way of Teaching Children, to Vnderstand, Write, and Speake, the Latin Tong, […], London: […] John Daye, […], published 1570, →OCLC, folios 48, recto – 48, verso:
   • AN Eagle made a Stoop at a Lamb; Truſs'd it, and took it Cleverly avvay vvith her. A Mimical Davv, that ſavv This Exploit, vvould needs try the ſame Experiment upon a Ram: But his Clavvs vvere ſo Shackled in the Fleece vvith Lugging to get him up, that the Shepherd came in, and Caught him, before he could Cleare Himſelf; He Clipt his VVings, and carry'd him Home to his Children to Play vvithal. 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “[The Fables of Æsop, &c.] Fab[le] LXXV. An Eagle and a Daw.”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC, page 74:
   • [T]he abſurd duty, too often inculcated, of obeying a parent only on account of his being a parent, ſhackles the mind, and prepares it for a ſlaviſh ſubmiſſion to any povver but reaſon. 1791 (date written), Mary Wollstonecraft, “Duty to Parents”, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1792, →OCLC, page 351:
   • This law would effectively shackle its opposition.
5. (figuratively, obsolete, transitive) To combine (a substance) with another substance.
   • Bitterneſs is produced by a Sulphur vvell impregnated, either vvith an Alkaline, or an Acid Salt, but alſo ſhackled vvith Earth. 1675 April 4 (Gregorian calendar), Nehemiah Grew, “[Several Lectures Read before the Royal Society.] A Discourse of the Diversities and Causes of Tasts Chiefly in Plants. Read before the Royal Society, March 25. 1675. Chapter IV. Of the Causes of Tasts.”, in The Anatomy of Plants. […], [London]: […] W. Rawlins, for the author, published 1682, →OCLC, page 288:
   • [A] little of that Fixed Salt, ſerves, it ſeems, to Shackle or Cryſtallize (vvhich is a degree of Fixation) a very great quantity of the Eſſential Salt of this Plant. 1681, Nehemiah Grew, “Of Arborescent Plants”, in Musæum Regalis Societatis. Or A Catalogue & Description of the Natural and Artificial Rarities Belonging to the Royal Society and Preserved at Gresham Colledge. […], London: […] W. Rawlins, for the author, →OCLC, part II (Of Plants), page 224:
6. (intransitive, reflexive) Of two things: to connect or couple together.

Forms

Antonyms

unmanacle · unfetter · unbind · free · unhandcuff · liberate · untie · unshackle · uncuff · unshackle

Deriveds

shackler · shackling · unshackle · hamshackle

Synonyms

enshackle · hamshackle · cuff · handcuff · bind · manacle · tie · beshackle · fetter

Translations (35)

fi kahlita (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · ca engrillonar (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · es engrillar (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · uk ско́вувати (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · it incatenare (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · ru заковать (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · fi kahlehtia (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · uk скува́ти (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · hu megbéklyóz (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · it assoggettare (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · fr enchainer (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · it sottomettere (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · io katenizar (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · br chadennañ (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · fr enchainer (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · bg оковавам (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · grc πεδάω (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · it soggiogare (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · bg сковавам (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · hu megbéklyóz (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · hu béklyóz (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · vi xiềng xích (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · uk ско́вувати (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · cmn 约束 (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · it asservire (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · uk скува́ти (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · it ammanettare (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · es engrilletar (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · bg стеснявам (to inhibit or restrain the ability, action, activity, or progress of (someone or something) — see also inhibit, restrain) · fi kahlita (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · eo kateni (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · hu megbilincsel (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · vi xích (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles) · fi antaa kahle (to provide (something) with a shackle) · vi xiềng (to place (a person or animal) in shackles; to immobilize or restrain using shackles)

shackle en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /ˈʃæk(ə)l/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈʃækl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From shack (“variant of shake”), shake (verb) + -le (suffix forming agent nouns; frequentative suffix forming verbs).

Meanings

1. (UK, dialectal) A person who is idle or lazy; an idler.
2. (UK, dialectal) A dice game; also, an event at which tickets are sold for chances to be drawn to win prizes; a raffle.

Forms

shackle en · VERB · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /ˈʃæk(ə)l/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈʃækl̩/ (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From shack (“variant of shake”), shake (verb) + -le (suffix forming agent nouns; frequentative suffix forming verbs).

Meanings

1. (UK, dialectal, transitive) To rattle or shake (something).
2. (UK, dialectal, transitive) To put (something) into disorder; specifically (agriculture), to cause (standing stalks of corn) to fall over.
3. (UK, dialectal, intransitive) Often followed by about: to be idle or lazy; to avoid work.

Forms