What is "handicap"

handicap \hand"i*cap\ (h[a^]n"d[i^]*k[a^]p), n. [From hand in cap; -- perh. in reference to an old mode of settling a bargain by taking pieces of money from a cap.]

1. An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race to the competitor possessing inferior advantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing superior advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success; as, the handicap was five seconds, or ten pounds, and the like.

2. A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.

3. An old game at cards. [Obs.]
   --Pepys.

4. a physical or mental disability of the body which makes normal human activities more difficult or impossible; as, his deformed leg was a major handicap in walking.

5. any disadvantage that makes an activity more difficult or impossible; as, insufficient capital was a big handicap in competing against Microsoft.

1650s, from hand in cap, a game whereby two bettors would engage a neutral umpire to determine the odds in an unequal contest. The bettors would put their hands holding forfeit money into a hat or cap. The umpire would announce the odds and the bettors would withdraw their hands -- hands full meaning that they accepted the odds and the bet was on, hands empty meaning they did not accept the bet and were willing to forfeit the money. If one forfeited, then the money went to the other. If both agreed either on forfeiting or going ahead with the wager, then the umpire kept the money as payment. The custom, though not the name, is attested from 14c. ("Piers Plowman").\n

Reference to horse racing is 1754 (Handy-Cap Match), where the umpire decrees the superior horse should carry extra weight as a "handicap;" this led to sense of "encumbrance, disability" first recorded 1890. The main modern sense, "disability," is the last to develop, early 20c.

"equalize chances of competitors," 1852, but implied in the horse-race sense from mid-18c., from handicap (n.). Meaning "put at a disadvantage" is from 1864. Earliest verbal sense, now obsolete, was "to gain as in a wagering game" (1640s). Related: Handicapped; handicapping.

n. 1 Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders. 2 An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success. 3 (lb en sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people. 4 A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors. 5 (lb en obsolete card game) An old card game. vb. 1 (context transitive English) To encumber with a handicap in any contest. 2 (context transitive by extension English) To place at disadvantage. 3 To estimate betting odds.

1. n. the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness; "reading disability"; "hearing impairment" [syn: disability, disablement, impairment]

2. advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning

3. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress [syn: hindrance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check]

4. [also: handicapping, handicapped]

1. v. injure permanently; "He was disabled in a car accident" [syn: disable, invalid, incapacitate]

2. attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant

3. put at a disadvantage; "The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements" [syn: hinder, hamper]

4. [also: handicapping, handicapped]

Handicapped or handicap may refer to:

• Handicapping, various methods of leveling a sport or game
  • Handicap race, in horse racing
  • Chess handicap
  • Handicap (golf)
  • Handicap (tennis)
  • Go handicaps
  • Handicaps in shogi
  • Asian handicap, bookmakers' technique to level odds
• Hand-in-cap, an old English trading game that inspired the word handicap
• Disability, a usually congenital physical or mental impairment
• Handicap principle, an evolutionary theory
• Self-handicapping, a psychological method for preserving self-esteem

A golf handicap is a numerical measure of a golfer's lack of ability.

In stroke play, it is used to calculate a net score from the number of strokes actually played during a competition, thus allowing players of different proficiency to play against each other on somewhat equal terms. In match play, the handicap difference between players is used to determine the number of strokes the high handicap player should receive from the low handicapper during the playing of their round. The higher the handicap of a player, the poorer the player is relative to those with lower handicaps. "Official" handicaps are administered by golf clubs with regional and national golf associations providing additional peer reviewing for low and very low handicaps respectively. Exact rules relating to handicaps can vary from country to country.

Handicap systems are not used in professional golf. Amateur golfers who are members of golf clubs are generally eligible for "official" handicaps on payment of the prevailing regional & national association annual fees. Other systems, often free of charge, are available to golfers who are ineligible for "official" handicaps.