handicap

1. handicap
   a physical or mental disability of the body which makes normal human activities more difficult or impossible; as, his deformed leg was a major handicap in walking.
2. handicap
   A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.
3. handicap
   An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race to the competitor possessing inferior advantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing superior advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success; as, the handicap was five seconds, or ten pounds, and the like.
4. handicap
   An old game at cards.
5. handicap
   any disadvantage that makes an activity more difficult or impossible; as, insufficient capital was a big handicap in competing against Microsoft.

1. (n) handicap
   An old game at cards, not unlike loo.
2. (n) handicap
   In racing and athletics, an extra burden placed upon, or a special requirement made of, a superior competitor in favor of an inferior, in order to make their chances more equal. In a horse-race the handicap is usually an additional weight to be carried by the better horse; in a foot-race, jumping-match, etc., a shorter time, greater distance, or the like, for the superior contestant. The amount of the handicap is adjusted in accordance with the performance of the competitors in previous contests; and in horse-racing regard is had also to the age, sex, and height of the horses. The principle is applied in other contests of agility or skill: thus, in draughts, a superior player is handicapped if he plays against an unskilful or inexperienced player with eleven men to the latter's twelve.
3. (n) handicap
   A race in which the supposed superiority of certain competitors is counterbalanced by penalties of additional weight, distance, or time imposed on them, or the inferiority of others is compensated by a certain amount of time or distance granted them in starting; any contest or competition in which an allowance of time or distance or other advantage is given to an inferior competitor: as, the Newmarket handicap.
4. handicap
   Noting a contest in which certain competitors are handicapped: as, a handicap race or game.
5. handicap
   To impose, as upon a competitor in a race or other contest, some disadvantage, such as a penalty of additional weight or distance or an allowance of a start or other advantage to an opponent.
6. handicap
   Figuratively, to place at a disadvantage by the imposition of any embarrassment, impediment, or disability: as, handicapped by age, by inexperience, etc.

1. (v.t) Handicap
   hand′i-kap to impose special disadvantages or impediments upon in order to offset advantages, and make a better contest—in a horse-race the superior horse carries a heavier weight, while foot-runners are placed at different distances, or start at different times:
2. (n) Handicap
   any contest so adjusted, or the condition imposed
3. (v.t) Handicap
   hand′i-kap (fig.) to place at a disadvantage by some burden or disability

hinder hamper impairment

advantage bias difficulty disadvantage disfavor disfavour injure softness unfitness vantage wound

albatross amputation anorgasmia astasia bandy leg bandy legs bandyleg bind bow leg bow legs bowleg descensus diriment impediment disability of walking disintegration drag dysomia dysphasia genu valgum genu varum hearing disorder hearing impairment hock hypesthesia hypoesthesia knock-knee millstone obstacle obstruction penalty pigeon toes prolapse prolapsus scratch straitjacket tibia valga tibia vara vision defect visual defect visual disorder visual impairment

disabled disablement handicapper hinder

encumber Half-one handicapper impost odd odds penalize penalty scratch third To give points welterweight

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