trammel
1 of 2verb
transitive verb
trammel
2 of 2noun
Did you know?
A trammel net traditionally has three layers, with the middle one finer-meshed and slack so that fish passing through the first net carry some of the center net through the coarser third net and are trapped. Appropriately, trammel traces back through the Middle English tramayle and the Old French tramail to the Late Latin tremaculum, which comes from Latin tres, meaning "three," and macula, meaning "mesh." Today, the plural trammels is synonymous with restraints, and trammel is also used as a verb meaning "to confine" or "to enmesh." You may also run across the adjective untrammeled, meaning "not confined or limited."
Synonyms
Verb
- bind
- chain
- enchain
- enfetter
- fetter
- gyve
- handcuff
- manacle
- pinion
- shackle
Noun
- balk
- bar
- block
- chain
- clog
- cramp
- crimp
- deterrent
- drag
- embarrassment
- encumbrance
- fetter
- handicap
- hindrance
- holdback
- hurdle
- impediment
- inhibition
- interference
- let
- manacle
- obstacle
- obstruction
- shackles
- stop
- stumbling block
Example Sentences
oregonlive, 23 Jan. 2020 The Patriots defense, which is on pace to break NFL records for most sacks and fewest points allowed, has trammeled and trampled opposing offenses, but the schedule keeps serving up red meat or raw quarterbacks for them to prey upon. BostonGlobe.com, 9 Oct. 2019 Now the area is brimming with new construction, and Ms. Medvedow, 63, is leading her institution into another less-trammeled area. New York Times, 22 June 2018 Now the area is brimming with new construction, and Ms. Medvedow, 63, is leading her institution into another less-trammeled area. New York Times, 22 June 2018 Those federal laws, along with state and local equivalents, provide broad and effective remedies for unequal pay without trammeling the hiring process. Gerald Skoning, WSJ, 12 Dec. 2017 When applied to armed protests, that mindset takes our country to a dangerous place: The Second Amendment and state open carry laws cannot trammel the free speech rights of unarmed protesters and the necessity for law enforcement to keep the peace. Olivia Li, Slate Magazine, 17 Oct. 2017 Lucy Fitzgerald, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 July 2022 Join the top and drop leaf; then use a large trammel to mark the curved edge. Thomas Klenck, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2021 Make a trammel, or beam compass, that pivots on a 3⁄8-in. Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2021 Build the trammel out of 1⁄2-in.-thick plywood, mount the router on one end and install a straight bit. Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 7 Aug. 2021 Step 2: Measure and Cut Cubby Dividers Use trammel points to mark a rounded edge (an arc with a 7-1/2-inch radius) on three 6-1/2 x 19-inch boards. Lucy Wendel, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Noun
Middle English tramayle, a kind of net, from Old French tramail, from Late Latin tremaculum, from Latin tres three + macula mesh, spot — more at three
Verb
circa 1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
trammel 1 of 2
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- obstacle
- obstruction
- hurdle
- interference
- barrier
- shackles
- hindrance
- impediment
- fetter
- encumbrance
- let
- embarrassment
- clog
- chain
- inhibition
- cramp
- crimp
- block
- burden
- handicap
- brake
- deterrent
- manacle
- constraint
- stop
- drag
- bar
- stumbling block
- load
- hitch
- balk
- rub
- rein
- curb
- snag
- delay
- blockade
- holdback
- catch
- hazard
- restraint
- blockage
- brick wall
- disadvantage
- stall
- danger
- reef
- stoppage
- stone wall
- arrest
- hobble
- embargo
- holdup
- difficulty
- peril
- hardship
- cumber
- bit
- drawback
- check
- adversity
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- spur
- incentive
- catalyst
- stimulus
- advantage
- impetus
- edge
- goad
- break
- stimulant
- aid
- benefit
- assistance
- help
- handmaiden
- boost
- handmaid
trammel
2 of 2verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- bind
- tie
- confine
- shackle
- fetter
- hamper
- chain
- enchain
- constrain
- manacle
- iron
- pinion
- handcuff
- lash
- attach
- gyve
- enfetter
- restrict
- hinder
- bit
- fasten
- impede
- truss
- curb
- limit
- hobble
- tangle
- secure
- link
- hog-tie
- entangle
- join
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- liberate
- loose
- free
- unfetter
- release
- unbind
- rescue
- emancipate
- undo
- unshackle
- detach
- untangle
- untie
- disengage
- unfasten
Synonyms & Similar Words
- impede
- hinder
- hamper
- obstruct
- shackle
- embarrass
- handicap
- fetter
- block
- inhibit
- stymie
- delay
- encumber
- restrain
- cramp
- clog
- hobble
- constrain
- disrupt
- manacle
- handcuff
- tie up
- hog-tie
- short-circuit
- thwart
- rein
- hold back
- brake
- tether
- bind
- curb
- tie
- interfere (with)
- frustrate
- stifle
- chain
- confine
- cramp one's style
- retard
- barricade
- leash
- check
- give a hard time
- retain
- hold up
- foil
- blockade
- derail
- strangle
- stump
- choke
- halter
- balk
- muzzle
- mire
- arrest
- baffle
- sabotage
- roadblock
- smother
- suffocate
- bog (down)
- repress
- suppress
- hedge (in)
- hem (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- facilitate
- assist
- aid
- help
- liberate
- open
- free
- clear
- release
- make way
- unclog
- loosen
- unstop
- unplug
- promote
- untie
- encourage
- smooth
- further
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of trammel are clog, fetter, hamper, manacle, and shackle. While all these words mean "to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting," trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.
The meanings of clog and trammel largely overlap; however, clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.
Although the words fetter and trammel have much in common, fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.
The words hamper and trammel are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.
Both shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.