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hamstring

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
ham·string  (hmstrng)
n.
1. Any of the tendons at the rear hollow of the human knee.
2. or hamstrings The hamstring muscle.
3. The large tendon in the back of the hock of a quadruped.
tr.v. ham·strung (-strng), ham·string·ing, ham·strings
1. To cut the hamstring of (an animal or a person) and thereby cripple.
2. To destroy or hinder the efficiency of; frustrate: "These worthwhile books are often hamstrung by unimaginative formats and inaccurate art" (Don Lessem).

hamstring [ˈhæmˌstrɪŋ]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Anatomy) Anatomy any of the tendons at the back of the knee Related adj popliteal
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) the large tendon at the back of the hock in the hind leg of a horse, etc.
vb -strings, -stringing, -strung (tr)
1. to cripple by cutting the hamstring of
2. to ruin or thwart
[ham1 + string]

hamstring  (hmstrng)
A powerful group of muscles at the back of the thigh that arise in the hip and pelvis and insert as strong tendons behind the knee. The hamstring bends the knee and helps to straighten the hip.

ham, hamstring - Originally, the part of the leg behind the knee was called the ham, and then the tendon near the ham was the hamstring; by extension, the ham became the thigh and buttock together.
See also related terms for thigh.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.hamstring - one of the tendons at the back of the kneehamstring - one of the tendons at the back of the knee
sinew, tendon - a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
Verb1.hamstring - make ineffective or powerless; "The teachers were hamstrung by the overly rigid schedules"
bedevil, dun, rag, torment, frustrate, crucify - treat cruelly; "The children tormented the stuttering teacher"
2.hamstring - cripple by cutting the hamstring
lame, cripple - deprive of the use of a limb, especially a leg; "The accident has crippled her for life"

hamstring
verb thwart, stop, block, prevent, ruin, frustrate, handicap, curb, foil, obstruct, impede, balk, fetter He could hamstring a conservative-led coalition.
Related words
adjective popliteal
Translations
hamstring [ˈhæmstrɪŋ] (hamstrung (vb: pt, pp))
A. N [of person] → tendón m de la corva; [of animal] → tendón m del jarrete
B. VT (lit) → desjarretar (fig) → paralizar
C. CPD hamstring injury Nlesión f del tendón de la corva
hamstring [ˈhæmstrɪŋ]
ntendon m du jarret hamstring injury
vt [+ person, activity, development] → paralyser
hamstring injury nclaquage m au jarret
hamstring vb: pret, ptp <hamstrung>
n (Anat) → Kniesehne f; (of animal)Achillessehne f
vt
(lit) person, animaldie Kniesehne/Achillessehne durchschneiden (+dat)
(fig) attempt etcvereiteln, unterbinden; personhandlungsunfähig machen; to be hamstrungaufgeschmissen sein (inf); (project) → lahmgelegt sein, lahmliegen
hamstring [ˈhæmˌstrɪŋ] (hamstrung (vb: pt, pp))
1. n (Anat) → tendine m del ginocchio; (of horse) → corda del garretto
2. vttagliare i tendini delle gambe a (fig) → tagliare le gambe a


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"Not a step further," said the man, who appeared to be the captain, "or I will hamstring your horses.
It is sometimes the custom when fast to a whale more than commonly powerful and alert, to seek to hamstring him, as it were, by sundering or maiming his gigantic tail-tendon.
Shall we cry shame on the brutality of those who hamstring cattle: and spare the lights of Freedom upon earth who notch the ears of men and women, cut pleasant posies in the shrinking flesh, learn to write with pens of red-hot iron on the human face, rack their poetic fancies for liveries of mutilation which their slaves shall wear for life and carry to the grave, breaking living limbs as did the soldiery who mocked and slew the Saviour of the world, and set defenceless creatures up for targets
 
 
 
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