Restrained someone by putting metal shackles around their wrists, or restricted someone's freedom to act.
From 'hand' (Old English hand) plus 'cuff' (Middle English cuffe, the wrist part of a sleeve). Combined in the 1700s to name the metal restraints that grip the wrist.
Handcuffs were originally chain links connecting two metal rings—the famous hinged cuff design wasn't invented until the 1860s, making escapes much harder and giving detectives a major advantage.
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