manacle
UK[ˈmæn.ə.kəl]US[ˈmæn.ə.kəl]
n
A metal ring or chain placed on a prisoner's wrist or ankle to restrict movement; a shackle.
v
To restrain with shackles; to confine or restrict.
Morpheme Breakdown
man
acle
man
hand
acle
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'manacle' originates from the Latin manicula, a diminutive of manus, meaning "hand." The literal sense was "a little hand" or "a handle," but it evolved in Late Latin to specifically mean "handcuff." This semantic shift from a general term for a small hand-like object to a restraining device for the hands illustrates a process of specialization. Entering English via Old French manicle in the 14th century, it retained the core concept of binding the hands. The logic of the word is transparent: its components literally denote "an instrument for the hand," which perfectly describes its function.
Analysis
Structure: man (hand) + acle (noun suffix)
'man' is from Latin manus (hand). 'acle' is a noun-forming suffix of Latin origin (-aculum), denoting an instrument or means.
Examples
The prisoner's manacles clinked as he was led to the cell.
They sought to manacle the press with restrictive new laws.
He felt the cold iron of the manacle tighten around his wrist.