a race or other contest in which certain disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, time, etc., are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of winning.

the disadvantage or advantage itself.

any disadvantage that makes success more difficult

The main handicap of our business is lack of capital.

a physical or mental disability making participation in certain of the usual activities of daily living more difficult.

to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden

He was handicapped by his injured ankle.

to subject to a disadvantageous handicap, as a competitor of recognized superiority.

to assign handicaps to (competitors).

Sports .

to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest, esp. a horse race), as by comparing past performances of the contestants.

to assign odds for or against (any particular contestant) to win a contest or series of contests

He handicapped the Yankees at 2-to-1 to take the series from the Cardinals.

noun

advantage , benefit , help , disadvantage , drawback , impairment , limitation , restriction , shortcoming

verb

aid , assist , benefit , further , give advantage , help , promote

noun

affliction , baggage * , barrier , block , burden , detriment , disability , drawback , encumbrance , hangup , hindrance , impairment , impediment , injury , limitation , load , millstone , obstacle , psychological baggage , restriction , shortcoming , stumbling block * , bulge , edge * , favor , head start * , odds , penalty , points , start , upper hand * , vantage , head start , minus , impost , incubus , liability

verb

burden , cripple , encumber , hamper , hamstring * , hinder , hog-tie , hold back , impede , limit , put out of commission , restrict , sideline * , take out * , advantage , barrier , defect , disability , disadvantage , drawback , edge , embarrass , head start , hindrance , impediment , liability , limitation , obstacle , odds , penalize