trammel Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a fishing net with three layers; the outer two are coarse mesh and the loose inner layer is fine mesh
trammel net.
noun an adjustable pothook set in a fireplace
noun a restraint that is used to teach a horse to amble
noun a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
shackle; hamper; bond.
verb catch in or as if in a trap
entrap; ensnare; snare; trap.
- The men trap foxes
verb place limits on (extent or access)
throttle; bound; restrict; restrain; limit; confine.
- restrict the use of this parking lot
- limit the time you can spend with your friends

F. tramail, trémail, a net, LL. tremaculum, tremacle, a kind of net for taking fish; L. tres three + macula a mesh. See Three, and Mail armor.

A kind of net for catching birds, fishes, or other prey. Carew.
A net for confining a woman's hair. Spenser.
A kind of shackle used for regulating the motions of a horse and making him amble.
Fig.: Whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom, as a net or shackle.
[They] disdain the trammels of any sordid contract. Jeffrey.
An iron hook of various forms and sizes, used for handing kettles and other vessels over the fire.
(Mech.) (a) An instrument for drawing ellipses, one part of which consists of a cross with two grooves at right angles to each other, the other being a beam carrying two pins (which slide in those grooves), and also the describing pencil. (b) A beam compass. See under Beam.

imperfect & past participle Trammeled or Trammelled; present participle & verbal noun Trammeling, or Trammelling