1. (n.) A kind of net for catching birds, fishes, or other prey.

2. (n.) A net for confining a woman's hair.

3. (n.) A kind of shackle used for regulating the motions of a horse and making him amble.

4. (n.) Fig.: Whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom, as a net or shackle.

5. (n.) An iron hook of various forms and sizes, used for handing kettles and other vessels over the fire.

6. (n.) 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.

7. (n.) A beam compass. See under Beam.

8. (v. t.) To entangle, as in a net; to catch.

9. (v. t.) To confine; to hamper; to shackle.

Oregon boat anchor arrest bar bearing rein bilbo bind bit block bond bonds brake bridle burden camisole chain chains check checkrein checks chock circumscribe clog collar confine constipate constrain constraints countercheck cramp cripple cuffs cumber curb curb bit curbs damper deter deterrents doorstop drag drag sail drift anchor drift sail drogue embarrass embrangle enchain encumber enmesh ensnarl entangle entoil entrammel entrap entwine fasten fetter gag gyve gyves halter hamper hamstring handcuff handcuffs handicap handicaps hinder hindrances hobble hobbles hog-tie holdback hopple hopples impede involve irons lame lash leading strings leash lime limit lumber make fast manacle martingale moor muzzle net obstacles obstruct peg down pelham picket pillory pin down pinion press down put in irons reins remora restrain restraint restraints rope saddle with scotch sea anchor secure shackle shackles snaffle snags snarl spoke stagnate stay stifle stocks stop straightjacket strait-waistcoat straitjacket stranglehold strap tangle tether tie tie down tie up toil trammels weigh down yoke