- Shackle
- Shackle Shac"kle, n. [Generally used in the plural.] [OE.
schakkyll, schakle, AS. scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr.
scacan to shake; cf. D. schakel a link of a chain, a mesh,
Icel. sk["o]kull the pole of a cart. See {Shake}.]
1. Something which confines the legs or arms so as to prevent
their free motion; specifically, a ring or band inclosing
the ankle or wrist, and fastened to a similar shackle on
the other leg or arm, or to something else, by a chain or
a strap; a gyve; a fetter.
[1913 Webster]
His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
2. Hence, that which checks or prevents free action. [1913 Webster]
His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles. --South. [1913 Webster]
3. A fetterlike band worn as an ornament. [1913 Webster]
Most of the men and women . . . had all earrings made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and arms. --Dampier. [1913 Webster]
4. A link or loop, as in a chain, fitted with a movable bolt, so that the parts can be separated, or the loop removed; a clevis. [1913 Webster]
5. A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also {drawlink}, {draglink}, etc. [1913 Webster]
6. The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is hung to the staple. --Knight. [1913 Webster]
{Shackle joint} (Anat.), a joint formed by a bony ring passing through a hole in a bone, as at the bases of spines in some fishes. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
