| shackle | 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. "His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean." (Spenser) 2. Hence, that which checks or prevents free action. "His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles." (South) 3. A fetterlike band worn as an ornament. "Most of the men and women . . . Had all earrings made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and arms." (Dampier) 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. 5. A link for connecting railroad cars; called also drawlink, draglink, etc. 6. The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is hung to the staple. <anatomy> Shackle joint, a joint formed by a bony ring passing through a hole in a bone, as at the bases of spines in some fishes. Origin: OE. Schakkyll, schakle, AS. Scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr. Scacan to shake; cf. D. Schakel a link of a chain, a mesh, Icel. Skokull the pole of a cart. See Shake. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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