Also means
little hand (diminutive, archaic)
Usage Note
Menotte in modern use almost always appears in the plural menottes to mean handcuffs — passer les menottes à quelqu'un (to handcuff someone). The singular originally meant a small hand (diminutive of main) and survives in children's speech for a tiny hand. The verb menotter means to put handcuffs on.
Examples
"La police lui a mis les menottes."
Natural Translation
The police put handcuffs on him.
Literal Translation
The police put to-him the handcuffs.
Related Words
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