Webster's English Dictionary

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trammel

Cross references:
  1. hamper                
 
1. tram.mel \'tram-*l\ n [ME tramayle, a kind of net, fr. MF tremail, fr. 
   LL tremaculumX, fr. L tres three + macula mesh, spot - more at THREE 1: a 
   net for catching birds or fish; esp : one having three layers  with the 
   middle one fine-meshed and slack so that fish passing through either outer 
   net are pocketed in the center 2: a shackle used for making a horse amble  
   3: something impeding activity, progress, or freedom : RESTRAINT m usu. 
   used in pl. 4: an adjustable pothook for a fireplace crane  5a: an 
   instrument for drawing ellipses  5b: a compass for drawing large circles 
   that consists of a beam with two sl iding parts - usu. used in pl. 5c: any 
   of various gauges used for aligning or adjusting machine parts 
2. trammel \'tram-(*-)lin\ vt or tram.meled or tram.melled;  or 
   tram.mel.ing;  or tram.mel.ing 1: to catch or hold in or as if in a net : 
   ENMESH  2: to prevent or impede the free play of : CONFINE