hamstrung
|ham-strung|
/ˈhæm.strɪŋ/
(hamstring)
cripple or make powerless
Etymology
'hamstring' originates from Old English elements 'ham' (meaning 'the back of the knee') and 'string'/'streng' (meaning 'tendon').
'hamstring' appeared in Old English combining 'ham' + 'streng' referring to the tendon; the verb sense 'to cut the hamstring (and so disable)' developed from this literal meaning and survived into Middle and Modern English, giving the past form 'hamstrung'.
Initially, it meant 'the tendon at the back of the knee' or 'to cut that tendon'; over time it evolved to include the figurative sense 'to cripple or severely restrict (someone or something)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'hamstring'.
The new regulations hamstrung the startup's growth.
Synonyms
Verb 2
literally: to have disabled (an animal or person) by cutting the hamstring tendon; Figuratively: to have crippled or severely limited the effectiveness or power of someone or something.
During the raid they hamstrung several horses to prevent pursuit.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
unable to act effectively; severely restricted or prevented from functioning properly.
The committee felt hamstrung by lack of funding and authority.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/04 15:41