Manacle
/ˈmæn.ə.kəl/noun
A metal shackle for the hands or wrists.
Did you know?Manacle comes through Old French from Latin *manicula*, literally “little hand,” a reminder that even prison words can start as diminutives.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
manicula
“a little hand”
Old French
OF
manicle
“a glove or hand-covering; later an iron handcuff or shackle”
Middle English
English
manacle
“a shackle for the hands”
Modern English
English
manacle
“a metal restraint for the hands or wrists”
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