Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A restraining device consisting of a pair of strong, connected hoops that can be tightened and locked about the wrists and used on one or both arms of a prisoner in custody.
  • transitive verb To put handcuffs on (a person).
  • transitive verb To restrain or render ineffective. synonym: hobble.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A shackle or fastening for the hand, consisting of a divided metal ring placed about and locked upon the wrist; a manacle.
  • To manacle; restrain by or as if by placing handcuffs upon the wrists.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • transitive verb To apply handcuffs to; to manacle.
  • noun A fastening, consisting of an iron ring around the wrist, usually connected by a chain with one on the other wrist; a manacle; -- usually in the plural.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun One ring of a locking fetter for the hand or one pair.
  • verb To apply handcuffs to; to manacle. - Hay (1754)
  • verb figuratively to restrain or restrict.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs
  • noun shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

1775, from hand +‎ cuff (“end of shirtsleeve”).

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  • engagement ring

    October 8, 2010