straitjacket Play nounA long-sleeved jacketlike garment used to bind the arms tightly against the body as a means of restraining a violent patient or prisoner.nounSomething that restricts, hinders, or confines.transitive verbTo restrain, restrict, or hinder by or as if by confining in a straitjacket.nounA jacket-like garment with very long sleeves which can be secured in place, thus preventing the wearer from moving his or her arms. Often used in psychiatric hospitals to prevent patients from injuring themselves or others.nounA metaphor used to describe a range of situations seen as (unpleasantly?) confining or restricting.verbTo put someone into a straitjacket.verbTo restrict the freedom of, either physically or psychologically.