(sometimes considered offensive) The disadvantage itself, in particular physical or mental disadvantages of people.
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.
(transitive) To encumber with a handicap in any contest.
(transitive, by extension) To place at disadvantage.
To estimate betting odds.
Esimerkit
Age is often a handicap.
Captain Edward Carlisle[...]felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze,; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.
The older boy won, even though his opponent had been granted a handicap of five meters.
A handicap in chess often involves removal of the queen's rook.
The candidate was heavily handicapped.
Grandpa Andy would buy the racing form the day ahead of time so he could handicap the race before he even arrived at the track.