shackle

C2 Topic:Crime & Justice

US /ˈʃæk.əl/ UK /ˈʃæk.əl/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like shekel /ɛ/ vs /æ/

Freq #39583

Meanings

1

noun
a metal restraint for a wrist or ankle, usually one of a connected pair; figuratively, anything that severely restricts freedom

For years, the debt felt like a shackle on the family's choices.
2

noun
a U-shaped metal link closed by a pin or bolt and used to connect ropes, chains, or equipment

A threaded pin secured the anchor chain to the shackle.
3

verb
to fasten with shackles or to impose a severe restriction on someone or something

The proposed rule could shackle small laboratories with unnecessary costs.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a metal restraint for a... fetter manacle restraint

2 noun · a u-shaped metal link... clevislink coupling

3 verb · to fasten with shackles or... fetter bind restrain

Opposites

free release unfasten

Word family

Forms shacklesshackling

Derived forms shackledshacklingshackleless

Related forms fetter manacle chainclevis

Etymology

From Middle English shakel, from Old English sceacel ("fetter"), a Germanic noun. A proposed connection with shake is uncertain. The physical restraint gave rise to the figurative sense of anything that limits freedom or action.

Topics

Crime & Justice

External links

# shackle

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈʃæk.əl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈʃæk.əl/
**Frequency rank:** 39583

## Meanings
1. a metal restraint for a wrist or ankle, usually one of a connected pair; figuratively, anything that severely restricts freedom
2. a U-shaped metal link closed by a pin or bolt and used to connect ropes, chains, or equipment
3. to fasten with shackles or to impose a severe restriction on someone or something

## Examples
- For years, the debt felt like a shackle on the family's choices.
- A threaded pin secured the anchor chain to the shackle.
- The proposed rule could shackle small laboratories with unnecessary costs.

## Synonyms
- fetter
- manacle
- restraint
- bind
- restrain

## Antonyms
- free
- release
- unfasten

## Derived Forms
- shackled
- shackling
- shackleless

## Related Forms
- fetter
- manacle
- chain
- clevis

## Etymology
From Middle English shakel, from Old English sceacel ("fetter"), a Germanic noun. A proposed connection with shake is uncertain. The physical restraint gave rise to the figurative sense of anything that limits freedom or action.

## Topics
- Crime & Justice

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