handicapped

Variant of handicap

handicap definition

handi·cap (han′dē kap′)

noun

    1. a race or other competition in which difficulties are imposed on the superior contestants, or advantages given to the inferior, to make their chances of winning equal
    2. such a difficulty or advantage
    1. something that hampers a person; disadvantage; hindrance
    2. a physical disability

Etymology: orig. a game in which forfeits were drawn from a cap or hat < hand in cap

transitive verb handicapped -·capped′, handicapping -·cap′·ping

  1. to give a handicap to (contestants)
  2. to cause to be at a disadvantage; hinder; impede
handicap Idioms

the handicapped

those who are physically disabled or mentally retarded

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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