trammel
- noun
- /ˈtræməl/
- Formal
- Many traditional beliefs act as a trammel on progress, preventing society from embracing new ideas.
Examples
-
Released from the trammels of alarm, Jan's tired brain wheeled and careened back to the blurry last image sent from the Moon.
Fiction book (1998) -
The strict rules of the club seemed like a trammel on creative expression, discouraging unique ideas.
-
Her job felt like a trammel that limited her potential, making it hard for her to pursue her dreams.
Synonyms
57
7.1
A metal U-shaped clamp used to join heavy things together
44
3.9
A rule or measure that limits what people can do
22
4.6
A thing that stops or controls movement to keep people and machines safe
Something that stops people from moving or acting freely
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
A fishing net with three layers that traps fish in the loose middle layer
How Restrictive
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word trammel comes from an old name for a three-layer net, from parts like tre- and mail meaning 'three' and 'mesh'. So, a trammel as a restriction is anything that binds or limits action, much like a net that stops movement.