menotte

handcuff (usually plural)

noun muh-NOT Less Common

Also means

little hand (diminutive, archaic)

Usage Note

Menotte in modern use almost always appears in the plural menottes to mean handcuffs — passer les menottes à quelqu'un (to handcuff someone). The singular originally meant a small hand (diminutive of main) and survives in children's speech for a tiny hand. The verb menotter means to put handcuffs on.

Examples

"La police lui a mis les menottes."

Natural Translation

The police put handcuffs on him.

Literal Translation

The police put to-him the handcuffs.

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