HANDICAP

handicap

(noun) advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning

hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, handicap

(noun) something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

disability, disablement, handicap, impairment

(noun) the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness; “reading disability”; “hearing impairment”

disable, invalid, incapacitate, handicap

(verb) injure permanently; “He was disabled in a car accident”

handicap, hinder, hamper

(verb) put at a disadvantage; “The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements”

handicap

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

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

handicap (plural handicaps)

Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.

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.

(sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.

A race or similar contest in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.

(obsolete, card game) An old card game, similar to lanterloo.

Verb

handicap (third-person singular simple present handicaps, present participle handicapping, simple past and past participle handicapped)

(transitive) To encumber with a handicap in any contest.

(transitive, figurative, by extension) To place at disadvantage.

To estimate betting odds.

Source: Wiktionary

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Hand"i*cap, n. Etym: [From hand in cap; -- perh. in reference to an old mode of setting 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.

Hand"i*cap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handicapped; p. pr. & vb. n. Handicapping.]

Definition: To encumber with a handicap in any contest; hence, in general, to place at disadvantage; as, the candidate was heavily handicapped.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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