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Handcuffs

noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A fastening consisting of two metal rings, designed to go around a person's wrists, and connected by a chain or hinge. plural, plural-only

    "It was the sergeant who had spoken to me, and he was now looking round at the company, with his handcuffs invitingly extended towards them in his right hand, and his left on my shoulder."

  2. 2
    plural of handcuff form-of, plural
  3. 3
    Any abstract constraint, such as rules, regulations, or lack of resources. figuratively, plural, plural-only

    "They complained that their rules of engagement were handcuffs that guaranteed counterproductivity."

Verb
  1. 1
    third-person singular simple present indicative of handcuff form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person

Etymology

1775, from hand + cuff (“end of shirtsleeve”). Possibly influenced by Old English handcops, from hand + cops (“fetter, chains”), but due to lack of continuity (centuries between Old English and modern term), generally analyzed as a re-invention.

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