manacle

Where does the word "manacle" come from? It comes from Latin manus, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Manacle’s story begins in Latin: manus meant “hand.” The root of 'manual', 'manage' and 'manuscript'. Within Latin, it grew into manicula by ancient. Little hand, a handle, diminutive of manus. From there it passed into Old French as manicle by medieval. Carried into French for a restraint fitted around the hand. It reached English by 1300s as manacle. Settled as the English word for a metal restraint for the hands. Today, manacle means a metal restraint, usually chained, fastened around the wrists.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient manus "hand", the root of 'manual', 'manage' and 'manuscript'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient manicula "little hand, a handle", little hand, a handle, diminutive of manus.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval manicle "a restraint fitted around the hand", carried into French for a restraint fitted around the hand.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s manacle "a metal restraint for the hands", settled as the English word for a metal restraint for the hands.