\Shac"kle\, n.
Stubble. [Prov. Eng.] --Pegge.

\Shac"kle\, n. [Generally used in the plural.] [OE.
schakkyll, schakle, AS. scacul, sceacul, a shackle, fr.
scacan to shake; cf. D. schakel a link of a chain, a mesh,
Icel. sk["o]kull the pole of a cart. See {Shake}.]
1. Something which confines the legs or arms so as to prevent
   their free motion; specifically, a ring or band inclosing
   the ankle or wrist, and fastened to a similar shackle on
   the other leg or arm, or to something else, by a chain or
   a strap; a gyve; a fetter.
         His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean.
                                               --Spenser.
2. Hence, that which checks or prevents free action.
         His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.
                                               --South.
3. A fetterlike band worn as an ornament.
         Most of the men and women . . . had all earrings
         made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and
         arms.                                 --Dampier.
4. A link or loop, as in a chain, fitted with a movable bolt,
   so that the parts can be separated, or the loop removed; a
   clevis.
5. A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also
   {drawlink}, {draglink}, etc.
6. The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is
   hung to the staple. --Knight.
{Shackle joint} (Anat.), a joint formed by a bony ring
   passing through a hole in a bone, as at the bases of
   spines in some fishes.

\Shac"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shackled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Shackling}.]
1. To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free
   motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain.
         To lead him shackled, and exposed to scorn Of
         gathering crowds, the Britons' boasted chief. --J.
                                               Philips.
2. Figuratively: To bind or confine so as to prevent or
   embarrass action; to impede; to cumber.
         Shackled by her devotion to the king, she seldom
         could pursue that object.             --Walpole.
3. To join by a link or chain, as railroad cars. [U. S.]
{Shackle bar}, the coupling between a locomotive and its
   tender. [U.S.]
{Shackle bolt}, a shackle. --Sir W. Scott.