wristlet

Noun

wristlet (plural wristlets)

1. An elastic band worn to keep a glove from slipping off the wrist.
   • The full protection coveralls […] are made of cotton airplane cloth with an impermeable butyl-rubber coating and are issued in sizes medium, large and X-large. […] Each sleeve has a tapered plastic cone insert and a wristlet which rolls down over the gauntlet of the protective glove after the glove...1970 June 24, “Maintenance of Rocket Fuel Handlers’ Protective Clothing, Toxicological Agents Protective Clothing, Vesicant Gas Protective Clothing, and Explosive Handlers’ Coveralls”, in...
2. A decorative band or bracelet that encircles the wearer's wrist; especially, a closely knitted one to keep it warm; a muffetee.
   • Wristlets are made of wool, and are of use in keeping the wrists comfortable in cold weather, and thereby preventing the rheumatism, and other complaints, arising from cold, particularly from the arms.1816, John Sinclair, “Of Clothing”, in The Code of Health and Longevity; […], 3rd edition, London: Printed for the author, by B. M‘Millan, […]; and to be had of G. and W. Nicol, […]; and Messrs....
   • Articles for the Mocha, Djiddah, and Mecca markets are made out of the veined Agate from Rhanpore, Carnelians from Rattanpore, the Cat's eye, and Jet or Obsidian; these are worked into large quantities of rings both plain and ornamented, ring stones, wristlets, armlets and necklaces, embracing the...1851 January, Augustus Summers, “Art. VII.—An Account of the Agate and Carnelian Trade of Cambay.”, in Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, volume III, part II, number XIV...

   Synonyms:

   wristband

3. A small handbag with a short strap for attaching it to the wearer's wrist.
   • Sliding a wristlet around your arm gives you the ability to talk on the phone, text, email, browse through clothing racks or hold your Starbucks coffee without having to worry about where your purse is. Leaving your hands free is what makes this micro purse more than just a fashion accessory. […]...2013 September 5, JoAnne Klimovich Harrop, “Small wristlets make big fashion statement”, in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh, Pa., archived from the original on 20 Feb 2019
   • Of all the bags London-based stylist Harriet Byczok laid out before her [actress Maisie Williams], it was a black pyramid-shaped wristlet with a gold chain and tassle that caught her eye – a creation from Singapore brand Charles & Keith.2016 September 23, Alyssa Woo, “Wristlet a ‘perfect’ match”, in The Straits Times, Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings, →OCLC, archived from the original on 20 Feb 2019
4. A handcuff.
   • [H]e rushed at us; we grasped hold of him; I took right round him; Tennant took hold of his arms; we had not a great deal of a scuffle with him; he used all of his strength apparently, and I put forth all of my strength to overcome him; we put these wristlets on him, and the strap around his waist...1859 December 16, James H. Noble (witness), Report of the Select Committee to which was Referred the Memorial of Dr. Saunders and Others, Asking for an Investigation into the Causes of the Death of...
   • Attached to each of these beds is a strong leathern strap, with a wristlet, for securing the arm of the patient at night. […] The scene in the dormitories for the paralytic and furious was distressing; camisoles, straps, wristlets, leg and ankle locks everywhere abounded.1861 July and August, W[illiam] Carmichael McIntosh, “Notes on Asylums and the Insane in France and Belgium”, in The Journal of Mental Science, volume VIII, number 41, London: Longman, Green, Longman...