HOBBLE

hitch, hobble, limp

(noun) the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg

fetter, hobble

(noun) a shackle for the ankles or feet

hopple, hobble

(verb) strap the foreleg and hind leg together on each side (of a horse) in order to keep the legs on the same side moving in unison; “hobble race horses”

limp, gimp, hobble, hitch

(verb) walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury; “The old woman hobbles down to the store every day”

hobble

(verb) hamper the action or progress of; “The chairman was hobbled by the all-powerful dean”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

hobble (plural hobbles)

(mostly, in the plural) One of the short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off.

An unsteady, off-balance step.

A difficult situation; a scrape.

(dialect, UK and Newfoundland) An odd job; a piece of casual work.

Synonyms

• tether (rope)

Verb

hobble (third-person singular simple present hobbles, present participle hobbling, simple past and past participle hobbled)

To fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.

To walk lame, or unevenly.

(figurative) To move roughly or irregularly.

• William Wordsworth, The White Doe of Rylstone

To perplex; to embarrass.

Anagrams

• hobbel

Source: Wiktionary


Hob"ble, n. i. [imp. & p. p. Hobbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Hobbling.] Etym: [OE. hobelen, hoblen, freq. of hoppen to hop; akin to D. hobbelen, hoblen, hoppeln. See Hop to jump, and cf. Hopple ]

1. To walk lame, bearing chiefly on one leg; to walk with a hitch or hop, or with crutches. The friar was hobbling the same way too. Dryden.

2. To move roughly or irregularly; -- said of style in writing. Prior. The hobbling versification, the mean diction. Jeffreys.

Hob"ble, v. t.

1. To fetter by tying the legs; to hopple; to clog. " They hobbled their horses." Dickens

2. To perplex; to embarrass.

Hob"ble, n.

1. An unequal gait; a limp; a halt; as, he has a hobble in his gait. Swift.

2. Same as Hopple.

3. Difficulty; perplexity; embarrassment. Waterton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

26 March 2025

CAST

(noun) bandage consisting of a firm covering (often made of plaster of Paris) that immobilizes broken bones while they heal


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Coffee Trivia

Plain brewed coffee contains almost no calories, while coffee with dairy products, sugar, and other flavorings is much higher in calories. An espresso has 20 calories. A nonfat latte has 72, while a flavored one has 134.

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