noun / verb
manacle
MAN-uh-kul/ˈmænəkl/
A shackle for the wrist, or to restrain someone with shackles.
The open metal manacles are joined by a short chain.
Etymology
Latin manicula meant “handle,” literally “little hand.” The connection to the restraint is the hand: its French descendant included handcuffs among its meanings, leading to the English wrist fetter.
More examples
- A heavy manacle hangs from a chain on the wall.
- The guards manacle the prisoner before escorting him outside.
- She cannot lift her manacled hands above her waist.
Forms
manacle · manacles · manacled · manacling
Similar words
- handcuff
- Usually one of a connected pair of locking wrist restraints.
- shackle
- A broader term for restraints around wrists or ankles.