handicap
hand·i·cap / ˈhandēˌkap/ • n. a condition that markedly restricts a person's ability to function physically, mentally, or socially: he was born with a significant visual handicap. ∎ a circumstance that makes progress or success difficult: a criminal conviction is a handicap and a label that may stick forever. ∎ a disadvantage imposed on a superior competitor in sports such as golf, horse racing, and competitive sailing in order to make the chances more equal. ∎ a race or contest in which such a disadvantage is imposed: [in names] the trophy for the $75,000 Ak-Sar-Ben Handicap. ∎ the extra weight to be carried in a race by a racehorse on the basis of its previous performance to make its chances of winning the same as those of the other horses. ∎ the number of strokes by which a golfer normally exceeds par for a course (used as a method of enabling players of unequal ability to compete with each other): [in comb.] his game struggles along in the 20-handicap range. • v. (-capped, -cap·ping) [tr.] act as an impediment to: lack of funding has handicapped the development of research. ∎ place (someone) at a disadvantage: without a good set of notes you will handicap yourself when it comes to exams.
handicap
Hence vb. †draw as in a lottery XVII; engage in a handicap; weight race-horses; penalize (a superior competitor) XIX.