His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean.
--Spenser.
2. Hence, that which checks or prevents free action.
His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.
--South.
3. A fetterlike band worn as an ornament.
Most of the men and women . . . had all earrings
made of gold, and gold shackles about their legs and
arms. --Dampier.
4. A link or loop, as in a chain, fitted with a movable bolt,
so that the parts can be separated, or the loop removed; a
clevis.
5. A link for connecting railroad cars; -- called also
{drawlink}, {draglink}, etc.
6. The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is
hung to the staple. --Knight.
{Shackle joint} (Anat.), a joint formed by a bony ring
passing through a hole in a bone, as at the bases of
spines in some fishes.