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- Dictionaryball and chain/ˌbôl (ə)n ˈCHān/
noun
- 1. a heavy metal ball secured by a chain to the leg of a prisoner to prevent escape.
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noun
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A ball and chain is a physical restraint device historically used to bind prisoners of both adolescent and adult ages. Their use was prevalent in the Americas. From the 17th century until as late as the mid-20th century this form of punishment was often used in conjunction with other methods of confinement. Wikipedia