(n.) A beam compass. See under Beam.
(n.) A kind of net for catching birds, fishes, or other prey.
(n.) A kind of shackle used for regulating the motions of a horse and making him amble.
(n.) A net for confining a woman's hair.
(n.) 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.
(n.) An iron hook of various forms and sizes, used for handing kettles and other vessels over the fire.
(n.) Fig.: Whatever impedes activity, progress, or freedom, as a net or shackle.
(v. t.) To confine; to hamper; to shackle.
(v. t.) To entangle, as in a net; to catch.