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Hobble vs Shamble - What's the difference?

hobble | shamble |

As nouns the difference between hobble and shamble

is that hobble is short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off while shamble is (mining) one of a succession of niches or platforms, one above another, to hold ore which is thrown successively from platform to platform, and thus raised to a higher level.

As verbs the difference between hobble and shamble

is that hobble is to fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles while shamble is to walk while shuffling or dragging the feet.

hobble

English

Noun

  • (en noun) (usually in plural )
  • Short straps tied between the legs of unfenced horses, allowing them to wander short distances but preventing them from running off.
  • An unsteady, off-balance step.
  • Synonyms

    * tether (rope)

    Verb

  • To fetter by tying the legs; to restrict (a horse) with hobbles.
  • (Charles Dickens)
  • To walk lame, or unevenly.
  • * Dryden
  • The friar was hobbling the same way too.
  • (figurative) To move roughly or irregularly.
  • * Jeffreys
  • The hobbling versification, the mean diction.
  • To perplex; to embarrass.
  • Derived terms

    * hobble skirt * hobbly * unhobble

    shamble

    English

    Verb

    (shambl)
  • To walk while shuffling or dragging the feet.
  • I wasn't too impressed with the fellow, when he shambled in unenthusiastically and an hour late.

    Synonyms

    * shuffle

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (mining) One of a succession of niches or platforms, one above another, to hold ore which is thrown successively from platform to platform, and thus raised to a higher level.
  • See also

    * shambles