3. A kind of shackle used for regulating the motions of a horse and
making him amble.
4. Fig.: Whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom, as a net or
shackle.
[They] disdain the trammels of any sordid contract.
Jeffrey.
5. An iron hook of various forms and sizes, used for handing kettles
and other vessels over the fire.
6. (Mech.) (a) An instrument for drawing ellipses, one part of which
consists of a cross with two grooves at right angles to each other, the
other being a beam carrying two pins (which slide in those grooves),
and also the describing pencil. (b) A beam compass. See under Beam.
Tram"mel (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Trammeled (?) or Trammelled; p. pr. &
vb. n. Trammeling, or Trammelling.] 1. To entangle, as in a net; to
catch. [R.] Shak.