Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Handcuff
Hand′cuffˊ
(-kŭfˊ)
, Noun.
[AS.
handcops
; hand
hand + cosp
, cops
, fetter. The second part was confused with E. cuffs
,] A fastening, consisting of an iron ring around the wrist, usually connected by a chain with one on the other wrist; a manacle; – usually in the plural.
Hand′cuffˊ
(hănd′kŭfˊ)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Handcuffed
(-kŭftˊ)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Handcuffing
.] To apply handcuffs to; to manacle.
Hay (1754).
Webster 1828 Edition
Handcuff
HAND'CUFF
,Noun.
HAND'CUFF
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2024
handcuff
handcuff
English
A pair of standard law enforcement handcuffs.
Noun
handcuff (plural handcuffs)
- One ring of a locking fetter for the hand or one pair.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Translations
ring of a locking fetter for the hand
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Verb
handcuff (third-person singular simple present handcuffs, present participle handcuffing, simple past and past participle handcuffed)
- To apply handcuffs to
- (Can we find and add a quotation of William Hay to this entry?)
- (figuratively) to restrain or restrict.
- Dang, I’m handcuffed by these regulations. I’d like to help but it’d be illegal.
- 2016 February 20, “Obituary: Antonin Scalia: Always right”, in The Economist:
- If he were a king, as his swagger and opera-singing occasionally suggested, he would stretch the constitution any way he wanted. In fact, as he admitted with a grin, it handcuffed him.
Synonyms
- (apply handcuffs to): manacle
Translations
to apply handcuffs