Handicap Definition

hăndē-kăp
handicapped, handicapping, handicaps
noun
handicaps
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.
Webster's New World
Such a difficulty or advantage.
Webster's New World
A physical or mental disability.
Webster's New World
Something that hampers a person; disadvantage; hindrance.
Webster's New World
verb
handicapped, handicapping, handicaps
To give a handicap to (contestants)
Webster's New World
To cause to be at a disadvantage; hinder; impede.
Webster's New World
To estimate betting odds.
Grandpa Andy would buy the racing form the day ahead of time so he could handicap the race before he even arrived at the track.
Wiktionary
Antonyms:
adjective
Handicapped.
American Heritage

Other Word Forms of Handicap

Noun

Singular:
handicap
Plural:
handicaps

Origin of Handicap

  • From obsolete hand in cap a game in which forfeits were held in a cap

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From hand in cap, in reference to holding the game stakes in a cap.

    From Wiktionary

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