handicap n
1. the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness; "reading disability"; "hearing impairment" [syn: disability, disablement, impairment]
2. advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
3. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress [syn: hindrance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check] v
4. injure permanently; "He was disabled in a car accident" [syn: disable, invalid, incapacitate]
5. attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant
6. put at a disadvantage; "The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements" [syn: hinder, hamper] [also: handicapping, handicapped]

Handicap \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.

Handicap \Hand"i*cap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Handicapped; p. pr.

See more meaning on Handicap...

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