hamstring

hamstring
    n 1: one of the tendons at the back of the knee [syn:
         {hamstring}, {hamstring tendon}]
    v 1: make ineffective or powerless; "The teachers were hamstrung
         by the overly rigid schedules"
    2: cripple by cutting the hamstring
    

Hamstring \Ham"string`\ (h[a^]m"str[i^]ng`), n. (Anat.)
   One of the great tendons situated in each side of the ham, or
   space back of the knee, and connected with the muscles of the
   back of the thigh.
   [1913 Webster]
    

Hamstring \Ham"string`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Hamstrung}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Hamstringing}. See {String}.]
   To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham or knee;
   to hough; hence, to cripple; to incapacitate; to disable.
   [1913 Webster]

         So have they hamstrung the valor of the subject by
         seeking to effeminate us all at home.    --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]
    

69 Moby Thesaurus words for "hamstring":
      bugger, burden, castrate, cramp, cripple, cumber, de-energize,
      debilitate, deflate, disable, disarm, disenable, drain, emasculate,
      embarrass, enchain, encumber, enfeeble, enmesh, ensnarl, entangle,
      entoil, entrammel, entrap, entwine, fetter, gag, hamper, handcuff,
      handicap, hobble, hog-tie, hors de combat, impede, inactivate,
      incapacitate, involve, kibosh, knock out, lame, lime, lumber, maim,
      manacle, muzzle, net, paralyze, press down, prostrate, put, queer,
      queer the works, sabotage, saddle with, shackle, silence, snarl,
      spike, strangle, tangle, throttle, toil, trammel, truss up, unfit,
      weaken, weigh down, wing, wreck