coffle

A long coffle of camels crosses the desert.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A line of animals or slaves fastened together: A "coffle" refers to a group of animals, such as horses or mules, or enslaved people, who are tied or chained together in a line, typically for transportation or forced movement.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The slave trader led a coffle of captives through the market. (A group of enslaved people chained together.)
  • The caravan consisted of a coffle of mules carrying goods. (A line of mules tied together for transport.)

Advanced Usage

• "to drive a coffle": to force a group of chained individuals or animals to move forward.

  • The overseer drove the coffle of prisoners along the dusty road. (He compelled the chained group to march.)

• "coffle chain": the specific chain used to link members of a coffle together.

  • The coffle chain was heavy and rusted from long use. (The chain connecting the group was worn.)

Variants and Related Words

• Coffle (verb, rare): to bind or fasten together in a line.
  • They coffled the horses before the journey began. (They tied the horses in a line.)

Synonyms

• Chain gang: a group of convicts chained together for work or transport.
• Caravan: a group of travelers or animals moving together, though not necessarily chained.
• Procession: a line of people or vehicles moving in an orderly way, but without the implication of being bound.

Related Idioms

• "In a coffle": in a state of being tied or forced together in a line.
  • The prisoners were marched in a coffle across the countryside. (They were moved as a chained group.)