名詞 handicap:

1. the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
   同義詞：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
   同義詞：hindrance, hinderance, deterrent, impediment, balk, baulk, check

動詞 handicap:

1. injure permanently
   同義詞：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
   同義詞：hinder, hamper

1. Illiteracy, a serious handicap in life.
   文盲，生活中的嚴重障礙
2. Blindness is a great handicap.
   失明是極大的障礙。
3. He was handicapped by lack of education.
   他因文化水平低而吃了虧。
4. Deafness can be a serious handicap.
   耳聾算是嚴重的缺陷。

hand.i.cap

n.（名詞）
Sports Games
【體育運動】 【游戲】
A race or contest in which advantages or compensations are given different contestants to equalize the chances of winning.
障礙賽：在速度方面的比賽或對抗中為了給競賽者以相同的獲勝機會， 給他們規(guī)定不同的條件的比賽
Such an advantage or penalty.See Synonyms at advantage
這樣的便利條件或不利條件參見 advantage
A physical or mental disability.See Synonyms at disadvantage
身心的缺陷：體力或智力上的無能參見 disadvantage
A hindrance.
障礙
v.tr.（及物動詞）
hand.i.capped,hand.i.cap.ping,hand.i.caps
Sports Games To assign handicaps or a handicap to (a contestant).
【體育運動】 【游戲】 加上障礙：給（一名選手）設置一項讓步或多項讓步
To cause to be at a disadvantage; impede.
妨礙，阻止：使處在不利地位；妨礙，阻止

來源：
From obsolete hand in cap [a game in which forfeits were held in a cap]
源自 廢語 hand in cap [將罰金置于帽中的一種比賽]