Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
handcuffs
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Hiatt speedcuffs
Discover
Alpaca and Llama side by side
What’s the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?
Aurochs. Bos primigenius. Skeleton. Extinct animal. Skeleton of an Aurochs, an extinct wild ox.
6 Animals We Ate Into Extinction
The United States Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C.
14 Questions About Government in the United States Answered
Dancers at a Cinco de Mayo festival at the Mission District, San Francisco, California. (Photo dated 2019.) holidays
Is Cinco de Mayo Mexico's Independence Day?
NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.
10 Great Sports Rivalries
Periodical Cicada, Adult, Magicicada spp. Requires 17 years to complete development. Nymph splits its skin, and transforms into an adult. Feeds on sap of tree roots. Northern Illinois Brood. This brood is the largest emergence of cicadas anywhere
Why Do Some Cicadas Appear Only Every 17 Years?
Berries and leaves of the bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) plant. Poisonous plant
7 of the World’s Deadliest Plants
Hiatt speedcuffs
Hiatt speedcuffs Hiatt speedcuffs (in holster), a type of handcuff used in the United Kingdom.

handcuffs

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/topic/handcuffs
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated: • Article History
Related Topics:
arrest
See all related content

handcuffs, device for shackling the hands, used by police on prisoners under arrest. Until modern times, handcuffs were of two kinds: (1) the figure 8, which confined the hands close together either in front of or behind the body, and (2) rings that fitted around the wrists and were connected by a short chain, these being somewhat like those used by modern police forces. The old names were manacles; shackbolts, or shackles; gyves; and swivels. Most modern handcuffs are made of steel, adjustable to the wrist size, and equipped with an automatic locking device. Disposable handcuffs of nylon are now available; their advantage is that a police officer can easily carry several pairs, for example, at the scene of a riot.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.