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1. Dictionary

   Hand·i·cap

   /ˈhandēˌkap/

   

   noun

   • 1. a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult: "a criminal conviction is a handicap and a label that may stick forever" Similar impedimenthindranceobstaclebarrierbarencumbrancedisadvantagedrawbackstumbling blockdifficultyshortcomingobstructionlimitationconstraintstraitjacketrestrictioncheckblockcurbball and chainalbatrossmillstone around someone's neckliterary:trammelOpposite benefitadvantage
   • 2. a condition that markedly restricts a person's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially: dated, offensive "he was born with a significant visual handicap" Similar disabilityafflictionoffensive:physical abnormalitymental abnormalitydefectimpairment
   • 3. a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive sailing in order to make the chances more equal.
   • ▪ a race or contest in which a disadvantage is imposed on a superior competitor: "the trophy for the $75,000 Ak-Sar-Ben Handicap"
   • ▪ the extra weight to be carried in a race by a racehorse on the basis of its previous performance to make its chances of winning the same as those of the other horses.
   • ▪ the number of strokes by which a golfer normally exceeds par for a course (used as a method of enabling players of unequal ability to compete with each other): "his game struggles along in the 20-handicap range"

   verb

   • 1. act as an impediment to: "lack of funding has handicapped the development of research"
   • ▪ place (someone) at a disadvantage: "without a good set of notes you will handicap yourself when it comes to exams"

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from the phrase hand in cap; originally a pastime in which one person claimed an article belonging to another and offered something in exchange, any difference in value being decided by an umpire. All three deposited forfeit money in a cap; the two opponents showed their agreement or disagreement with the valuation by bringing out their hands either full or empty. If both were the same, the umpire took the forfeit money; if not it went to the person who accepted the valuation. The term handicap race was applied (late 18th century) to a horse race in which an umpire decided the weight to be carried by each horse, the owners showing acceptance or dissent in a similar way: hence in the late 19th century handicap came to mean the extra weight given to the superior horse.

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2. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › handicapHandicap - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › handicap

   A mental or physical disadvantage, such as blindness or a missing leg, is a handicap: something that disables you in some way. Handicaps can also be imposed artificially to even out the odds in sporting events.

3. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishHANDICAP definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   6 days ago · A handicap is an event or situation that places you at a disadvantage and makes it harder for you to do something. She was away from school for 15 weeks, a handicap she could have done without. Being a foreigner was not a handicap.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › handicapHANDICAP Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › handicap

   • Cached

   to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden: He was handicapped by his injured ankle. to subject to a disadvantageous handicap, as a competitor of recognized superiority. to assign handicaps to (competitors).

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryHANDICAP | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   something that is wrong with your mind or body permanently: a mental / physical handicap. handicap noun [C] (DISADVANTAGE) something that makes it more difficult for you to do something: I found not having a car quite a handicap in the countryside. (Definition of handicap from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishhandicap noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

   • Cached

   [countable] (sport) a race or competition in which the most skillful must run further, carry extra weight, etc. in order to give all those taking part an equal chance of winning; the disadvantage that is given to someone you are competing against in such a race or competition.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › handicapHandicap - definition of handicap by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › handicap

   • Cached

   1. a race or other contest in which disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, etc., are given to competitors to equalize their chances of winning. 2. the disadvantage or advantage itself. 3. any disadvantage that makes success more difficult.

8. www.britannica.com › dictionary › handicapHandicap Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

   www.britannica.com › dictionary › handicap

   • Cached

   HANDICAP meaning: 1 : a physical or mental condition that may limit what a person can do a physical or mental disability; 2 : a problem, situation, or event that makes progress or success difficult.