Definition

1. Noun:

   • A shackle for the hand; a handcuff: A manacle is a metal device, typically one of a pair, designed to lock around a person's wrist to restrain them.
   • A restraint or check: Figuratively, a manacle can refer to anything that confines or restricts freedom.

2. Verb:

   • To put manacles on; to handcuff: To confine or restrain someone by applying manacles to their wrists.
   • To restrain as if with manacles: To restrict or confine someone or something in a figurative sense.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The prisoner's manacles clinked as he walked.
  • Fear can be a manacle that prevents us from taking risks.

• Verb:

  • The guards were ordered to manacle the dangerous captive.
  • Outdated traditions can manacle progress.

Advanced Usage

• "To be in manacles": To be physically restrained with handcuffs or shackles.

  • The protestor was led away in manacles.

• "The manacles of the mind": A metaphorical phrase describing psychological constraints like fear, prejudice, or ignorance.

  • He struggled to break free from the manacles of his past.

Variants and Related Words

• Manacled (adj.): Describing someone who is wearing manacles.

  • The manacled suspect was placed in the police car.

• Manacling (gerund/noun): The act of putting manacles on someone.

  • The manacling of the prisoners was done swiftly.

Synonyms

• Noun: Shackle, handcuff, fetter, bond, chain, restraint.
• Verb: Shackle, handcuff, fetter, chain, restrain, confine.

Related Phrases

• "To throw off the manacles": To free oneself from physical or figurative restraints.
  • The revolution was about throwing off the manacles of oppression.

Idioms

• "Golden manacles": Refers to financial benefits or a high salary that keeps a person in an undesirable job, acting as a restraint.
  • He stayed in the stressful job for the golden manacles of the bonus scheme.

Noun

1. shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs

Verb

1. confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs
   • The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime