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Hobble
Definitions
- 1 One of the short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off. in-plural
- 2 the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg wordnet
- 3 An unsteady, off-balance step.
"We made it and we hobbled up the stairs. Or I hobbled. My sons didn't hobble, I hobbled."
- 4 a shackle for the ankles or feet wordnet
- 5 A difficult situation; a scrape. archaic, informal
""Saddle a horse—any horse—only let him be sure and fleet," cried Ashwoode, "and I'll pay you his price thrice over!" "Well, it's a bargain," replied the groom, promptly; "I don't like to see a gentleman caught in a hobble, if I can help him out of it. […]"
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- 6 An odd job; a piece of casual work. Newfoundland, UK, dialectal
- 1 To fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.
"Near-synonyms: shackle, enshackle"
- 2 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 wordnet
- 3 To walk lame, or unevenly.
"The friar was hobbling the same way too."
- 4 walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury wordnet
- 5 To move or proceed roughly or irregularly. figuratively
"The hobbling versification, the mean diction."
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- 6 hamper the action or progress of wordnet
- 7 To disable; to impede.
"Near-synonyms: nobble, hamper, hinder, embarrass"
Etymology
From Middle English hobblen, hobelen, akin to Middle Dutch hoblen, hobbelen (Modern Dutch hobbelen).
From Middle English hobblen, hobelen, akin to Middle Dutch hoblen, hobbelen (Modern Dutch hobbelen).
See also for "hobble"
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