Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Trammel
Tram′mel
,Noun.
1.
A kind of net for catching birds, fishes, or other prey.
Carew.
2.
A net for confining a woman’s hair.
Spenser.
3.
A kind of shackle used for regulating the motions of a horse and making him amble.
4.
Fig.: Whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom, as a net or shackle.
[They] disdain the
trammels
of any sordid contract. Jeffrey.
5.
An iron hook of various forms and sizes, used for handing kettles and other vessels over the fire.
6.
(Mech.)
(a)
An instrument for drawing ellipses, one part of which consists of a cross with two grooves at right angles to each other, the other being a beam carrying two pins (which slide in those grooves), and also the describing pencil.
(b)
A beam compass. See under
Beam
. Tram′mel
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Trammeled
or Trammelled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Trammeling
, or Trammelling
.] 1.
To entangle, as in a net; to catch.
[R.]
Shak.
2.
To confine; to hamper; to shackle.
Webster 1828 Edition
Trammel
TRAM'MEL
, n.1.
A kind of long net for catching birds or fishes. The trammel differs not much from the shape of the bunt.
2.
A kind of shackles used for regulating the motions of a horse, and making him amble.3.
An iron hook, of various forms and sizes, used for hanging kettles and other vessels over the fire.4.
Trammels, in mechanics, a joiner's instrument for drawing ovals upon boards. One part consists of a cross with two grooves at right angles; the other is a beam carrying two pins which slide in those grooves, and also the describing pencil.TRAM'MEL
, v.t.1.
To catch; to intercept.2.
To confine; to hamper; to shackle.