shackle (n.)
kind of fetter, especially for the wrist or ankle of a prisoner, Middle English shakel, from Old English sceacel, sceacul "shackle, fetter," probably also in a general sense "a link or ring of a chain," from Proto-Germanic *skakula- (source also of Middle Dutch, Dutch schakel "link of a chain, ring of a net," Old Norse skökull "pole of a carriage"), of uncertain origin. According to OED, the common notion of "something to fasten or attach" makes a connection with shake unlikely. Figurative sense of "anything which hinders or restrains" is by early 13c. Related: Shackledom "marriage" (1771); shacklebone "the wrist" (1570s) is Scottish or northern dialect.
shackle (v.)
mid-15c., shakelen, "chain, put in shackles, bind in shackles," from shackle (n.). Figurative use is by 1560s. Related: Shackled; shackling.
updated on July 21, 2022
Dictionary entries near shackle
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