Shackle vs. Manacle — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 5, 2024
A shackle is a metal link, often used for securing or lifting loads, while a manacle is specifically designed to restrain a person's wrists or ankles.
Difference Between Shackle and Manacle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Shackles are primarily used in lifting, rigging, and securing loads, featuring a U-shaped piece of metal secured with a pin or bolt. They are essential in various industrial, maritime, and construction settings for their strength and reliability in load-bearing applications. On the other hand, manacles are designed with the specific intent of restraining a person, typically around the wrists or ankles. These restraints are used for law enforcement, prison management, or historical punishment methods.
While shackles can come in different sizes and designs, such as D-shackles, bow shackles, and long reach shackles, depending on the application's requirements, manacles are more uniform in design, focusing on securely locking around human limbs. Whereas manacles are made to be escape-proof and often have a locking mechanism, shackles are designed for quick application and removal from loads, with a focus on the strength of the closure.
The material composition of shackles and manacles also differs based on their intended use. Shackles are typically made from high-strength steel or alloy, designed to withstand heavy loads and harsh conditions without failure. Conversely, manacles, while also made from strong materials like steel, prioritize durability against tampering and wear from human contact over the need to bear heavy loads.
In terms of application, shackles are a tool in various mechanical and engineering contexts, seen as a means to an end in securing or lifting. Manacles, however, carry a heavy cultural and historical significance, often associated with imprisonment, slavery, and restraint of personal freedom. The use of manacles is surrounded by legal and ethical considerations, especially regarding humane treatment and rights.
Despite their differences, both shackles and manacles serve the purpose of securing or restraining, whether it be an inanimate load or a human being. The choice between a shackle and a manacle depends on the nature of what is being secured: a physical object or a person.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Securing or lifting loads
Restraining persons
Design Variations
D-shackles, bow shackles, etc.
Generally uniform, designed for wrists or ankles
Material
High-strength steel or alloy
Durable materials, often steel
Application Field
Industrial, maritime, construction
Law enforcement, prisons
Cultural Significance
Viewed as a tool
Associated with imprisonment and restriction
Compare with Definitions
Shackle
Made from high-strength materials.
The alloy shackles are preferred for maritime uses due to their corrosion resistance.
Manacle
Often associated with law enforcement.
The officer placed manacles on the suspect for transportation.
Shackle
A metal link used for lifting or securing loads.
The crane operator attached the shackle to the load before lifting.
Manacle
A device for restraining a person's limbs.
The manacles were inspected to ensure they were secure yet humane.
Shackle
Essential in industrial settings.
In the construction site, shackles are used daily to move heavy materials.
Manacle
Carries cultural and historical significance.
The museum displayed ancient manacles as a reminder of past injustices.
Shackle
Comes in various designs for different applications.
For the towing operation, they used a bow shackle because of its wider shape.
Manacle
Made to withstand tampering and wear.
The steel manacles were coated to prevent rust from prolonged use.
Shackle
Focus on quick application and removal.
The crew used a shackle with a screw pin for easy attachment.
Manacle
Designed to be escape-proof.
The prison's manacles had a complex locking mechanism to prevent tampering.
Shackle
A shackle, also known as a gyve, is a U-shaped piece of metal secured with a clevis pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism. The term also applies to handcuffs and other similarly conceived restraint devices that function in a similar manner.
Manacle
A device for confining the hands, usually consisting of a set of two metal rings that are fastened about the wrists and joined by a metal chain.
Shackle
A device, usually one of a pair connected to a chain, that encircles the ankle or wrist of a prisoner or captive.
Manacle
Something that confines or restrains
"caught in the manacles of their language" (Cynthia Ozick).
Shackle
A hobble for an animal.
Manacle
To put manacles on (someone); restrain with manacles.
Shackle
Any of several devices, such as a clevis, used to fasten or couple.
Manacle
To restrain the action or progress of
"[She was] manacled by the restrictions of an overbearing father" (Lilian Faderman).
Shackle
Often shackles A restraint or check on action or progress
"throwing off the puritanical shackles" (Ben Yagoda).
Manacle
A shackle for the wrist, usually consisting of a pair of joined rings; a handcuff; (by extension) a similar device put around an ankle to restrict free movement.
Shackle
To put shackles on (someone); confine with shackles.
Manacle
(figuratively) A fetter, a restriction.
Shackle
To fasten or connect with a shackle.
Manacle
(ambitransitive) To confine with manacles.
Shackle
To restrict, confine, or hamper.
Manacle
A handcuff; a shackle for the hand or wrist; - usually in the plural.
Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
Shackle
A restraint fit over a human or animal appendage, such as a wrist, ankle or finger; normally used in pairs joined by a chain.
Manacle
To put handcuffs or other fastening upon, for confining the hands; to shackle; to confine; to restrain from the use of the limbs or natural powers.
Is it thus you use this monarch, to manacle and shackle him hand and foot ?
Shackle
A U-shaped piece of metal secured with a pin or bolt across the opening, or a hinged metal loop secured with a quick-release locking pin mechanism.
Manacle
Shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
Shackle
A restraint on one's action, activity, or progress.
Manacle
Confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs;
The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime
Shackle
A fetter-like band worn as an ornament.
Shackle
A link for connecting railroad cars; a drawlink or draglink.
Shackle
A length of cable or chain equal to 2 fathoms or 75 feet, or later to 15 fathoms.
Shackle
(transitive) To restrain using shackles; to place in shackles.
Shackle
To render immobile or incapable; to inhibit the progress or abilities of.
This law would effectively shackle its opposition.
Shackle
(dialectal) To shake, rattle.
Shackle
Stubble.
Shackle
Something which confines the legs or arms so as to prevent their free motion; specifically, a ring or band inclosing the ankle or wrist, and fastened to a similar shackle on the other leg or arm, or to something else, by a chain or a strap; a gyve; a fetter.
His shackles empty left; himself escaped clean.
Shackle
Hence, that which checks or prevents free action.
His very will seems to be in bonds and shackles.
Shackle
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.
Shackle
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.
Shackle
A link for connecting railroad cars; - called also drawlink, draglink, etc.
Shackle
The hinged and curved bar of a padlock, by which it is hung to the staple.
Shackle
To tie or confine the limbs of, so as to prevent free motion; to bind with shackles; to fetter; to chain.
To lead him shackled, and exposed to scornOf gathering crowds, the Britons' boasted chief.
Shackle
Figuratively: To bind or confine so as to prevent or embarrass action; to impede; to cumber.
Shackled by her devotion to the king, she seldom could pursue that object.
Shackle
To join by a link or chain, as railroad cars.
Shackle
A restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
Shackle
A U-shaped bar; the open end can be passed through chain links and closed with a bar
Shackle
Bind the arms of
Shackle
Restrain with fetters
Common Curiosities
Are manacles still used today?
Manacles are used by law enforcement and correctional facilities, subject to legal and ethical standards.
What are manacles designed for?
Specifically designed to restrain a person's wrists or ankles.
Can shackles be used on people?
While technically possible, shackles are not designed for this purpose and using them on people is not appropriate due to safety and ethical concerns.
Is it legal for private individuals to own manacles?
Laws vary by jurisdiction, but owning manacles is typically legal, though using them on another person without consent is not.
Can a shackle break under load?
Properly rated and maintained shackles are designed not to break under their working load limit, but misuse or wear can lead to failure.
What is a shackle used for?
Used for lifting, securing, or rigging loads in various settings.
Are there ethical concerns with using manacles?
Yes, their use is regulated to ensure humane treatment and respect for personal freedoms.
Can shackles be used in all weather conditions?
Yes, shackles made from appropriate materials can be used in a wide range of environmental conditions.
What determines the choice of shackle in an operation?
Factors include the weight of the load, the angle of the lift, and environmental conditions.
How are manacles different from handcuffs?
Manacles are a broader category that includes handcuffs, which are specifically for the wrists. Manacles can also refer to restraints for the ankles.
What material are shackles made of?
Often made from high-strength steel or alloy for durability and strength.
Do manacles have keys?
Most manacles have locking mechanisms that can be opened with keys or combination codes.
How are manacles designed to be escape-proof?
They feature complex locks or tamper-resistant mechanisms to prevent detainees from removing them.
What's the historical significance of manacles?
They symbolize control and have been used in various forms of imprisonment and slavery throughout history.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
