HANDICAP Definition & Meaning

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handicap

[ han-dee-kap ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

a race or other contest in which certain disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, time, etc., are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of winning.
the disadvantage or advantage itself.
any disadvantage that makes success more difficult:
The main handicap of our business is lack of capital.
Sometimes Offensive. a physical or mental disability making participation in certain of the usual activities of daily living more difficult.

handicapped, handicapping.

to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden:
He was handicapped by his injured ankle.
Synonyms: , , ,
Antonyms: , ,
to subject to a disadvantageous handicap, as a competitor of recognized superiority.
to assign handicaps to (competitors).
Sports.
1. to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest, especially a horse race), as by comparing past performances of the contestants.
2. to assign odds for or against (any particular contestant) to win a contest or series of contests:
  He handicapped the Yankees at 2-to-1 to take the series from the Cardinals.

handicap

/ ˈ��æ�Ի�ɪˌ��æ�� /

something that hampers or hinders
1. a contest, esp a race, in which competitors are given advantages or disadvantages of weight, distance, time, etc, in an attempt to equalize their chances of winning
2. the advantage or disadvantage prescribed
golf the number of strokes by which a player's averaged score exceeds the standard scratch score for the particular course: used as the basis for handicapping in competitive play
any physical disability or disadvantage resulting from physical, mental, or social impairment or abnormality

to be a hindrance or disadvantage to
to assign a handicap or handicaps to
to organize (a contest) by handicapping
1. to attempt to forecast the winner of (a contest, esp a horse race)
2. to assign odds for or against (a contestant)

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�Դǲ�·�󲹲Ի�i·�� noun
��v��·�󲹲Ի�i·�� verb (used with object) overhandicapped overhandicapping
��·�󲹲Ի�i·�� noun verb (used with object) prehandicapped prehandicapping

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1640–50; 1870–75 handicap fordef 8; originally hand i' cap hand in cap, referring to a drawing before a horse race

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C17: probably from hand in cap, a lottery game in which players drew forfeits from a cap or deposited money in it

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Some clearly display handicapped plaques as they go to the store.

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That would leave her free to run in 2027, though with the handicap of a conviction for misuse of public money.

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“Even where the stores are located has been a handicap for them in terms of broadening their appeal,” Beahm said.

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She has a PhD in maths, is a former concert pianist and has an impressive golf handicap of just seven.

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Jockeys follow strict diets and horse racing implements a handicap system.

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