trammel

(tram′əl)

noun

also trammel net
1. a fishing net consisting of two outer layers of coarse mesh and a loosely hung middle layer of fine mesh
2. a fowling net
a kind of shackle for a horse, esp. one to teach ambling
something that confines, restrains, or shackles
a device with links or openings at different heights for hanging a pothook in a fireplace
an instrument for drawing ellipses
any of several devices for adjusting or aligning parts of a machine

Origin: ME tramaile < MFr tramail, a net < ML tremaculum, kind of fishing net < L tres, three + macula, a mesh

Related Forms:

See trammel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A shackle used to teach a horse to amble.
Something that restricts activity, expression, or progress; a restraint.
A vertically set fishing net of three layers, consisting of a finely meshed net between two nets of coarse mesh.
An instrument for describing ellipses.
An instrument for gauging and adjusting parts of a machine; a tram.
An arrangement of links and a hook in a fireplace for raising and lowering a kettle.

transitive verb tram·meled or tram·melled, tram·mel·ing or tram·mel·ling, tram·mels