Lexic.us

Definition of Handicap

1. Verb. Injure permanently. "He was disabled in a car accident"

2. Noun. The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness. "Hearing impairment"

3. Verb. Attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant.

4. Noun. Advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning.

5. Verb. Put at a disadvantage. "The brace I have to wear is hindering my movements"

6. Noun. Something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress.

Definition of Handicap

1. n. 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. v. t. To encumber with a handicap in any contest; hence, in general, to place at disadvantage; as, the candidate was heavily handicapped.

Definition of Handicap

1. Noun. An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success. ¹

2. Noun. (context: sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people. ¹

3. Noun. 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. ¹

4. Noun. (obsolete card game) An old game at cards. - Pepys ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) To encumber with a handicap in any contest. ¹

6. Verb. (transitive by extension) To place at disadvantage. ¹

7. Verb. To estimate betting odds. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Handicap

1. to hinder [v -CAPPED, -CAPPING, -CAPS] - See also: hinder

Medical Definition of Handicap

1. 1. A physical, mental, or emotional condition that interferes with an individual's normal functioning. 2. Reduction in a person's capacity to fulfill a social role as a consequence of an impairment, inadequate training for the role, or other circumstances. See: disability. 3. 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. 4. 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. Origin: From hand in cap; perh. In reference to an old mode of setting a bargain by taking pieces of money from a cap. (06 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Handicap

handgrip handgrips handguard handguards handgun handguns handheld handheld drill handhelds handhold

handholding handholdings handholds handi-craftsman handi-craftsmen handicap (current term) handicapitalism handicapped handicapped-accessible handicapped permit

handicapped person handicapped sign handicapped space handicapper handicappers handicapping handicaps handicraft handicrafter handicrafters

Literary usage of Handicap

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Outing (1893)
"Two mile handicap—First heat—JP Clark, Press CC (no yds. ... One and one half mile handicap—EL Blau- velt, first ; Charles Brown, second ; Edward Van ..."

2. Technology Review by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Association of Class Secretaries, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alumni Association (1906)
"THE FALL handicap MEET The meeting was held on Technology Field October 28. ... (handicap 5 in.); second, Holmquist, '06,5 ft. 7 in. (handicap, 2 in. ..."

3. Reports of Cases in Criminal Law Argued and Determined in All the Courts in by Edward William Cox (1895)
"That the respondent was the proprietor and publisher of The Sporting Chronicle and also of the Sporting Chronicle Weekly handicap Book or Racing Record. ..."

4. Observations on the Popular Antiquities of Great Britain: Chiefly by John Brand, Henry Ellis (1900)
"Here some of us fell to handicap, a sport that I never knew before, which was very good." Pepys's Diary, i. 135.J HANDY-DANDY. BOYEE, in his Dictionary, ..."

5. Survey of Occupations Open to the Girl of Fourteen to Sixteen Years by Harriet Hazen Dodge (1912)
"The Girl's handicap Often when the fourteen year old girl enters in ... But it is easy to imagine the handicap in meeting this qualification for the ..."

6. The College Year-book and Athletic Record for the Academic Year 1896-97 by Edwin Emerson (1896)
"The annual fall games were held Oct. 30, 1896, on Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pa. iso-yard handicap run. — Final heat, C E. Blackburn, '97, L., 3 yards, ..."

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