Hypertext Webster Gateway: "handicap"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Handicap \Hand"i*cap\, n. [From hand in cap; -- perh. in
reference to an old mode of setting a bargain by taking
pieces of money from a cap.]
1. 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. 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.

3. An old game at cards. [Obs.] --Pepys.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Handicap \Hand"i*cap\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Handicapped}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Handicapping}.]
To encumber with a handicap in any contest; hence, in
general, to place at disadvantage; as, the candidate was
heavily handicapped.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

handicap
n 1: the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of
physical or mental unfitness; "reading disability";
"hearing impairment" [syn: {disability}, {disablement},
{impairment}]
2: advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of
winning
3: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action
or progress [syn: {hindrance}, {deterrent}, {impediment}]
v 1: injure permanently; "He was disabled in a car accident"
[syn: {disable}, {invalid}, {incapacitate}]
2: attempt to forecast the winner (esp. in a horse race) and
assign odds for or against a contestant
3: put at a disadvantage; "The brace I have to wear is
hindering my movements" [syn: {hinder}, {hamper}]


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