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Definitions for: Handicap
[n] advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
[n] something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
[n] the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness; "reading disability"; "hearing impairment"
[v] injure permanently; "He was disabled in a car accident"
[v] put at a disadvantage; "The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements"
[v] attempt to forecast the winner (esp. in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant
Webster (1913) Definition: Hand"i*cap, n. [From hand in cap; -- perh. in
reference to an old mode of setting a bargain by taking
pieces of money from a cap.]
1. An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in
starting, granted in a race to the competitor possessing
inferior advantages; or an additional weight or other
hindrance imposed upon the one possessing superior
advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the
chances of success; as, the handicap was five seconds, or
ten pounds, and the like.
2. A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility,
strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of
time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize
the chances of the competitors.
3. An old game at cards. [Obs.] --Pepys.
Hand"i*cap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handicapped; p. pr.
& vb. n. Handicapping.]
To encumber with a handicap in any contest; hence, in
general, to place at disadvantage; as, the candidate was
heavily handicapped.
Synonyms: balk, baulk, check, deterrent, disability, disable, disablement, hamper, hinder, hindrance, impairment, impediment, incapacitate, invalid
See Also: advantage, albatross, amputation, anorgasmia, astasia, bad condition, bandy legs, bias, bind, bow leg, bow legs, bowleg, descensus, difficulty, disability of walking, disadvantage, disfavor, disfavour, dysomia, genu valgum, genu varum, hearing impairment, hearing loss, hypesthesia, hypoesthesia, injure, knock-knee, millstone, obstacle, obstruction, pigeon toes, poor shape, prolapse, prolapsus, tibia valga, tibia vara, unfitness, vantage, vision defect, visual defect, visual disorder, visual impairment, wound
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