handcuffs

handcuffs

      device for shackling the hands, used by police on prisoners under arrest. Until modern times, handcuffs were of two kinds: (1) the figure 8, which confined the hands close together either in front of or behind the body, and (2) rings that fitted around the wrists and were connected by a short chain, these being somewhat like those used by modern police forces. The old names were manacles; shackbolts, or shackles; gyves; and swivels. Most modern handcuffs are made of steel, adjustable to the wrist size, and equipped with an automatic locking device. Disposable handcuffs of nylon are now available; their advantage is that a police officer can easily carry several pairs, for example, at the scene of a riot.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Handcuffs — Manacles redirects here. For the rocks off Cornwall, see The Manacles. Hiatt type 2010 handcuffs. Circa 1990s …   Wikipedia

  • handcuffs — noun … OF HANDCUFFS ▪ pair, set ▪ The policeman slipped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists. VERB + HANDCUFFS ▪ have on, wear ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • handcuffs — hand|cuffs [ˈhændkʌfs] n [plural] a pair of metal rings joined by a chain. Handcuffs are used for holding a prisoner s wrists together ▪ They put handcuffs on the two men and led them away. in handcuffs ▪ He was brought into the court in… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • handcuffs — n. 1) to put (the) handcuffs on smb. 2) to remove handcuffs * * * to put (the) handcuffson smb. to remove …   Combinatory dictionary

  • handcuffs — hand·cuff || hændkÊŒf n. ring shaped shackle placed on the wrist to bind or restrain, manacle v. restrain with handcuffs (ring shaped shackles for the wrists) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • handcuffs — plural noun when her lawyer came, Paula was still in handcuffs Syn: manacles, shackles, irons, fetters, bonds, restraints; informal cuffs, bracelets …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • handcuffs — / hændkʌfs/ plural noun ⇒ golden handcuffs …   Dictionary of banking and finance

  • handcuffs — noun a) A fastening consisting of two metal rings, designed to go around a persons wrists, and connected by a chain or hinge. b) Plural of handcuff. Syn: manacles …   Wiktionary

  • handcuffs — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. manacles, fetters, shackles, iron rings, bracelets*, wristlets*, cuffs*, clamps*, braces*, snaps*; see also chains …   English dictionary for students

  • handcuffs — hand|cuffs [ hænd,kʌfs ] noun plural metal rings that a police officer puts around a prisoner s wrists to stop them from using their hands or arms …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”