handicap Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
impairment; disablement; disability.
- reading disability
- hearing impairment
noun advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
noun something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
balk; baulk; check; impediment; hindrance; deterrent; hinderance.
verb injure permanently
disable; incapacitate; invalid.
- He was disabled in a car accident
verb attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant
verb put at a disadvantage
hinder; hamper.
- The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements

From hand in cap; -- perh. in reference to an old mode of setting a bargain by taking pieces of money from a cap.

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.
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.
An old game at cards. Obs. Pepys.

imperfect & past participle Handicapped ; present participle & verbal noun Handicapping

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