Manacle

A manacle is a type of metal fastening or restraint, typically used on the wrists or ankles to prevent movement. It is often employed in the context of imprisonment or detention, symbolizing control and restriction of liberty. The term can also be metaphorically used to describe any form of limitation or constraint that hinders freedom or progress.

Manacle meaning with examples

• During the trial, the defendant sat in his chair with manacles on both wrists, a poignant reminder of his current predicament. The cold metal shackles contrasted sharply with the courtroom's warm decor, illustrating the stark divide between his past life and the present situation he faced. Many in the gallery whispered about the severity of his charges as they observed him restrained.
• The prisoner struggled against the manacles that bound his wrists, feeling the sharp edges digging into his skin as he attempted to move. In that moment, he contemplated the series of decisions that had led to this confinement. Each jangle of the chains reverberated his regret, a constant reminder of the consequences attached to his choices.
• Upon entering the abandoned warehouse, the detectives discovered old manacles left behind, hinting at a darker history of captivity. Dust covered the metal cuffs, and the faint scent of rust filled the air. As they cataloged the evidence, a chilling realization washed over them: this place had once been a site of torture and restraint.
• In his novel, the author artistically utilizes the metaphor of manacles to explore the theme of emotional confinement. Characters grappling with their own mental chains highlight the profound struggles of overcoming personal fears and societal expectations. Through this imagery, readers grapple with the notion of freedom versus constraint, exploring what it means to be truly unshackled.