handicap

Meanings

Noun

• Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.
• An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success.
• The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.
• A race or similar contest in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.
• An old card game, similar to lanterloo.

Verb

• To encumber with a handicap in any contest.
• To place at disadvantage.
• To estimate betting odds.

Origin

• From hand in cap, in reference to holding the game stakes in a cap.