Most of the men and women . . . had all earrings made of gold, and
gold shackles about their legs and arms.
Dampier.
4. A link or loop, as in a chain, fitted with a movable bolt, so that
the parts can be separated, or the loop removed; a clevis.
5. A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also drawlink,
draglink, etc.
6. The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is hung to the
staple. Knight.
Shackle joint (Anat.), a joint formed by a bony ring passing through a
hole in a bone, as at the bases of spines in some fishes.
<! p. 1321 !>
Shac"kle (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shackled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Shackling.] 1. To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free
motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain.
To lead him shackled, and exposed to scorn Of gathering crowds, the
Britons' boasted chief.
J. Philips.
2. Figuratively: To bind or confine so as to prevent or embarrass
action; to impede; to cumber.
Shackled by her devotion to the king, she seldom could pursue that
object.
Walpole.