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A.Word.A.Day--darbies

darbies (DAR-bees) noun

Handcuffs; manacles.

[Shortening of Father Darby's/Derby's bands (or bonds). Apparently after the rigid terms of a 16th century English usurer of that name.]

"Soon, however, tools began emerging on the scene that allowed bloggers to dash their computer darbies and perform mobile weblogging, or moblogging." John P. Mello Jr.; Blogging Now Wireless, With Photos; The Boston Globe; Apr 12, 2004.

"'But the darbies,' said Hatteraick, looking upon his fetters." Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832); Guy Mannering.

This week's theme: eponyms.

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