The Collaborative International Dictionary
Shackle \Shac"kle\, n. [Generally used in the plural.] [OE. schakkyll, schakle, AS. scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr. scacan to shake; cf. D. schakel a link of a chain, a mesh, Icel. sk["o]kull the pole of a cart. See Shake.]
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Something which confines the legs or arms so as to prevent their free motion; specifically, a ring or band inclosing the ankle or wrist, and fastened to a similar shackle on the other leg or arm, or to something else, by a chain or a strap; a gyve; a fetter.
His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean.
--Spenser. -
Hence, that which checks or prevents free action.
His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.
--South. -
A fetterlike band worn as an ornament.
Most of the men and women . . . had all earrings made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and arms.
--Dampier. 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.
A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also drawlink, draglink, etc.
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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.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context engineering English) A link connecting the cranks of two shafts. 2 A drawbar.