trammel: Meaning and Definition of

tram•mel

Pronunciation: (tram'ul), [key]
— n., v., -meled, -mel•ing -melled, -mel•ling.
—n.
  1. Usually,a hindrance or impediment to free action; restraint: the trammels of custom.
  2. an instrument for drawing ellipses.
  3. Also calleda device used to align or adjust parts of a machine.
  4. See
  5. a fowling net.
  6. a contrivance hung in a fireplace to support pots or kettles over the fire.
  7. a fetter or shackle, esp. one used in training a horse to amble.
—v.t.
  1. to involve or hold in trammels; restrain.
  2. to catch or entangle in or as in a net.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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