trammel

Definition

Whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom, such as a net or shackle.

Etymology

From Middle English trameyle, from Old French tramail (“net for catching fish”), from Late Latin tremaculum, from tri- (“tri-”) + macula (“spot, speck; mesh, cell”). Cognate with Italian tramaglio (“trammel”), Spanish trasmallo (“drift net”).

Example Sentences

• "[They] disclaim the trammels of any sordid contract."
• "The men who came here were able to throw off all the trammels of tradition and established doctrine."
• ""Also, it would be convenient for spending the night - or, if you find that the trammels of convention still defy the peculiar circumstances, well, maybe we could make it two apartments.""