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 , hinderance , deterrent , impediment , balk , baulk , check ]

    handicap (v.)

  1. injure permanently; He was disabled in a car accident

    [ Syn: disable , invalid , incapacitate ]

  2. attempt to forecast the winner (especially 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 ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.