handicap Definition

handicap
noun

1. A physical or mental disability that results in partial or total inability to perform social, occupational or other normal everyday activities.
2. Something that impedes or hinders.

Thesaurus: disadvantage, barrier, obstacle, defect, penalty, drawback, hindrance, block, impediment, encumbrance, stumbling-block; Antonym: privilege, headstart.
3a. A disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in a contest, race, etc, or an advantage given to an inferior one, so that everyone has an equal chance of winning;
3b. A race or competition in which competitors are given a handicap.
4. The number of strokes by which a golfer's averaged score exceeds par for the course.

verb handicapped, handicapping

1. To impede or hamper someone.

Thesaurus: disable, disadvantage, hamper, limit, cripple, deter; Antonym: aid, support, help.
2. To impose special disadvantages or advantages on (a player or players) in order to make a better contest.
3. To organize (a race, etc) by handicapping.

Derivative: handicapper
noun

In some sports: an official who fixes the handicaps of competitors.

Etymology: 17c: probably from hand i' cap an old lottery game in which money was deposited in a cap and forfeits were drawn from it.