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handicap

hand·i·cap

handicap

 
 
pronunciation:
haen di kaep
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb)
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a disability or disadvantage that acts as an impediment or limitation.
She would not allow her deafness to be a handicap to her becoming an actress.His apartment is adapted to accommodate his physical handicap.Shyness can be a handicap in business.Her inability to work quickly was a handicap when taking timed exams.
synonyms:
disability, disadvantage
antonyms:
advantage, asset
similar words:
check, constraint, curb, drawback, encumbrance, hindrance, impediment, limitation, restraint
definition 2: an advantage or disadvantage placed on a competitor in a race or contest so as to equalize the chances for success among all the participants.
Runners over the age of sixty were given a head start as a handicap.
similar words:
advantage, disadvantage, head start
definition 3: a race or contest in which such advantages or disadvantages are given.
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part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: handicaps, handicapping, handicapped
definition 1: to put at a disadvantage; hinder or impede.
Her lack of confidence handicapped her in job interviews.
synonyms:
hamper, hinder, impede, shackle
antonyms:
help
similar words:
burden, disable, disadvantage, encumber, impair, incapacitate, restrain, saddle
definition 2: to assign an advantage or disadvantage to, in a race or contest.
synonyms:
weight
similar words:
equalize, standardize
definition 3: in sports and esp. horse racing, to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest), or to assign odds to (the contestants) as to their chances of winning or losing.
similar words:
weight
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