hamstring
UK: ˈhæmstrɪŋ | US: ˈhæmstrɪŋ
n. 1. The tendon at the back of the knee or the muscles connected to it.
vt. 2. To cripple by cutting the hamstring tendons.
vt. 3. To impair or hinder the effectiveness of something.
hamstring = ham<leg or thigh> + string<tendon>
- ham: From Old English hamm, meaning "bend of the knee" or "thigh." Later associated with the hind leg of animals (e.g., ham meat).
- string: From Old English streng, meaning "tendon" or "cord." The modern sense of "tendon" is preserved here.
Etymology Origin:
The word hamstring literally combines "ham" (leg/thigh) and "string" (tendon), referring to the critical tendons at the back of the knee. Historically, cutting these tendons disabled animals or enemies, leading to the verb sense of "crippling" or "hindering." The anatomical term (noun) predates the metaphorical verb usage.
The athlete tore his hamstring during the sprint.
In ancient warfare, soldiers would hamstring enemy horses to immobilize them.
Poor funding has hamstrung the research project.
She underwent surgery to repair a damaged hamstring.
The new regulations could hamstring innovation in the industry.