handicap

名词 handicap:

1. the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
   同义词：disability, disablement, impairment
2. advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
3. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
   同义词：hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check

动词 handicap:

1. injure permanently
   同义词：disable, invalid, incapacitate
2. attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant
3. put at a disadvantage
   同义词：hinder, hamper

1. Illiteracy, a serious handicap in life.
   文盲，生活中的严重障碍
2. Blindness is a great handicap.
   失明是极大的障碍。
3. He was handicapped by lack of education.
   他因文化水平低而吃了亏。
4. Deafness can be a serious handicap.
   耳聋算是严重的缺陷。

hand.i.cap

n.（名词）
Sports Games
【体育运动】 【游戏】
A race or contest in which advantages or compensations are given different contestants to equalize the chances of winning.
障碍赛：在速度方面的比赛或对抗中为了给竞赛者以相同的获胜机会， 给他们规定不同的条件的比赛
Such an advantage or penalty.See Synonyms at advantage
这样的便利条件或不利条件参见 advantage
A physical or mental disability.See Synonyms at disadvantage
身心的缺陷：体力或智力上的无能参见 disadvantage
A hindrance.
障碍
v.tr.（及物动词）
hand.i.capped,hand.i.cap.ping,hand.i.caps
Sports Games To assign handicaps or a handicap to (a contestant).
【体育运动】 【游戏】 加上障碍：给（一名选手）设置一项让步或多项让步
To cause to be at a disadvantage; impede.
妨碍，阻止：使处在不利地位；妨碍，阻止

来源：
From obsolete hand in cap [a game in which forfeits were held in a cap]
源自 废语 hand in cap [将罚金置于帽中的一种比赛]