SHACKLE

Stubble. [Prov. Eng.] Pegge.

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. Spenser.

Hence, that which checks or prevents free action. His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles. South.

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. Dampier.

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.

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

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.

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. J. Philips.

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. Walpole.

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.