hobble

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   strap the foreleg and hind leg together on each side (of a horse) in order to keep the legs on the same side moving in unison

   Hobble race horses.

2. 2
   verb

   walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

   The old person hobbles down to the store every day.

3. 3
   verb

   hamper the action or progress of

   The chairman was hobbled by the all-powerful dean.

4. 4
   noun

   An unsteady, off-balance step.

   We made it and we hobbled up the stairs. Or I hobbled. My sons didn't hobble, I hobbled.

From Middle English hobblen, hobelen, akin to Middle Dutch hoblen, hobbelen (Modern Dutch hobbelen).

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