Link Centre Dictionary

handcuff

hand·cuff

UK/ˈhændˌkʌf/ US/ˈhæˌndkʌf/ uncommon rare
noun (1) verb (1)

noun

1.

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

Synonyms

verb

1.

confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

  • “The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime”
Synonyms

Origin

From hand + cuff (“end of shirtsleeve”). Possibly an adaptation of Middle English handcops (“shackles for the hand, handcuffs”), from Old English handcops, from hand + cops, cosp (“fetter, chains”), but due to a lack of continuity (centuries between Old English and the modern term), generally analyzed as a re-invention. Nominal form first appears c. 1591 in the publications of John Florio. Verbal form first appears c. 1649.

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.