Noun
a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)

Noun
a U-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain links and closed with a bar

Verb
restrain with fetters

Verb
bind the arms of

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n.
Stubble.

n.
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.

n.
Hence, that which checks or prevents free action.

n.
A fetterlike band worn as an ornament.

n.
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.

n.
A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also drawlink, draglink, etc.

n.
The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is hung to the staple.

v. t.
To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain.

v. t.
Figuratively: To bind or confine so as to prevent or embarrass action; to impede; to cumber.

v. t.
To join by a link or chain, as railroad cars.

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Shackle

Shac"kle , n. Stubble. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.

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'94kull 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.

His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean.

2. Hence, that which checks or prevents free action.

His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.

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.

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. Knight. 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.

Shackle

Shac"kle , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shackled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Shackling.] 1. To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain.

To lead him shackled, and exposed to scorn Of gathering crowds, the Britons' boasted chief.

2. Figuratively: To bind or confine so as to prevent or embarrass action; to impede; to cumber.

Shackled by her devotion to the king, she seldom could pursue that object.

3. To join by a link or chain, as railroad cars. [U. S.] Shackle bar, the coupling between a locomotive and its tender. [U.S.] -- Shackle bolt, a shackle. Sir W. Scott.

Stubble.

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.