handcuff

== English == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈhændˌkʌf/ === Noun === handcuff (plural handcuffs) (rarely singular) One ring of a locking fetter for the hand or one pair. Synonyms: manacle, wristlet ==== Hypernyms ==== fetter shackle ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === handcuff (third-person singular simple present handcuffs, present participle handcuffing, simple past and past participle handcuffed) (transitive) To apply handcuffs to someone. (transitive, figuratively) to restrain or restrict. ==== Synonyms ==== (apply handcuffs to): manacle ==== Translations ==== === References ===