An iron shackle or chain, especially one used to restrain the legs or arms of a prisoner; a fetter or manacle.
From Old English 'gyfe' and Middle English, possibly related to Old Norse 'gefa' (to give). Medieval term for prisoners' restraints, still found in historical literature.
Gyves are the iron leg chains you see in history books—they literally ground prisoners to the spot, and the word sounds harsh because the metal clanks so grimly!
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