hobbled

Verb

hobble (third-person singular simple present hobbles, present participle hobbling, simple past and past participle hobbled)

1. To fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.
   • Near-synonyms: shackle, enshackle

   Synonyms:

   shackle, enshackle

2. To walk lame, or unevenly.
   • The friar was hobbling the same way too.1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page number)

   Synonyms:

   hirple

3. (figuratively) To move or proceed roughly or irregularly.
   • The hobbling versification, the mean diction.1815, William Wordsworth, The White Doe of Rylstone
4. To disable; to impede.
   • Near-synonyms: nobble, hamper, hinder, embarrass

   Synonyms:

   nobble, hamper, hinder, embarrass

5. (UK, obsolete, slang, transitive) To commit (a person) for trial.
   • […] hobbled straightaway!"
     "Hobbled, Gibbon?" inquired Lady Bligh.
     "Taken up and committed for trial, my lady."1978, Gail Clark, Dulcie Bligh, page 99

See all 9 meanings of hobble