ˈhɔbl v. & n. --v. 1 intr. a
walk lamely; limp. b
proceed haltingly in
action or
speech (hobbled lamely to
his conclusion). 2 tr. a
tie together the legs of (a
horse etc.) to
prevent it
from straying. b tie (a horse's etc. legs). 3 tr.
cause (a
person etc.) to limp. --n. 1 an
uneven or
infirm gait. 2 a
rope,
clog, etc. used
for hobbling a horse etc. øhobble
skirt a skirt so
narrow at the hem as to
impede walking. øøhobbler n. [ME, prob. f. LG:
cf.
HOPPLE and Du. hobbelen rock from
side to side]