handcuffs

Meanings

1. A fastening consisting of two metal rings, designed to go around a person's wrists, and connected by a chain or hinge.
2. Any abstract constraint, such as rules, regulations, or lack of resources.

1. plural of handcuff

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of handcuff

Etymology

1775, from hand + cuff (“end of shirtsleeve”). Possibly influenced by Old English handcops, from hand + cops (“fetter, chains”), but due to lack of continuity (centuries between Old English and modern term), generally analyzed as a re-invention.