handicap

n. [ From hand in cap; -- perh. in reference to an old mode of settling a bargain by taking pieces of money from a cap. ] 1. An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race to the competitor possessing inferior advantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing superior advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success; as, the handicap was five seconds, or ten pounds, and the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A race, for horses or men, or any contest of agility, strength, or skill, in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An old game at cards. [ Obs. ] Pepys. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. a physical or mental disability of the body which makes normal human activities more difficult or impossible; as, his deformed leg was a major handicap in walking. [ PJC ]

5. any disadvantage that makes an activity more difficult or impossible; as, insufficient capital was a big handicap in competing against Microsoft. [ PJC ]

a. suffering from a handicap (in senses 4 or 5); disabled; at a disadvantage. [ PJC ]