Trammel

[Fr. tramail, Norm. Fr. tremail, It. tramaglio, L. Lat. tramallum, tramela, tremaculum, a kind of net for taking fish, from Lat. tres, three, and macula, Fr. maille, spot; Ger. trammelnetz. 1. A kind of long net for catching birds or fishes; a kind of net for taking prey; a net. The trammel differs not much from the shape of the bunt. Carew.

2. A kind of shackles used for regulating the motions of a horse, and making him amble.
3. Hence, whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom.

They . . . disdain the trammels of any sordid contract. Jeffrey.

4. An iron hook, of various forms and sizes, used for hanging kettles and other vessels over the fire.
5. (Mech.) An instrument for drawing ellipses, one part of which consists of a cross with two grooves at right angles to each other, the other being a beam carrying two pins which slide in those grooves, and also the describing pencil; also, another name for beam-compasses. Weale.