Library / English Dictionary

HOBBLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg

Synonyms:

hitch; hobble; limp

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("hobble" is a kind of...):

gait (a person's manner of walking)

Derivation:

hobble (walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A shackle for the ankles or feet

Synonyms:

fetter; hobble

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("hobble" is a kind of...):

bond; hamper; shackle; trammel (a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner))

Derivation:

hobble (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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Example:

hobble race horses

Synonyms:

hobble; hopple

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "hobble" is one way to...):

strap (tie with a strap)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

hobble (a shackle for the ankles or feet)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury

Example:

The old woman hobbles down to the store every day

Synonyms:

gimp; hitch; hobble; limp

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "hobble" is one way to...):

walk (use one's feet to advance; advance by steps)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

They hobble up the hill

Derivation:

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

hobbler (someone who has a limp and walks with a hobbling gait)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Hamper the action or progress of

Example:

The chairman was hobbled by the all-powerful dean

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "hobble" is one way to...):

hinder; impede (be a hindrance or obstacle to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Credits

 Context examples: 

There's the clock, an' I must gang. My service to ye, ladies! And off he hobbled.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

And clapping me in the friendliest way upon the shoulder, he hobbled off forward and went below.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Well, I’ve a conscience, sir, and when I chanced to see you go into this house, as I came hobbling after you, I thought to myself, I’ll just step in and see that kind gentleman, and tell him that if I was a bit gruff in my manner there was not any harm meant, and that I am much obliged to him for picking up my books.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But I called up all my resolution, set my teeth, and hobbled back and forth from galley to cabin and cabin to galley without further mishap.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Lord, make me answer cheerful when my call comes!" He held up his arms devoutly, and raised his hat. His mouth moved as though he were praying. After a few minutes' silence, he got up, shook hands with me, and blessed me, and said good-bye, and hobbled off. It all touched me, and upset me very much.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

He hobbled to the torch, where it stood propped among the firewood, and took a fresh light to his pipe.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Silver hobbled, grunting, on his crutch; his nostrils stood out and quivered; he cursed like a madman when the flies settled on his hot and shiny countenance; he plucked furiously at the line that held me to him and from time to time turned his eyes upon me with a deadly look.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)