Etymology From hand-in-cap, in reference to holding the game stakes in a cap.
1
Something that prevents, hampers, or hinders.
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.1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
2
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race (or other contest of skill) to the competitor possessing disadvantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success.
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.
1 more example
Eventually the elephant and camel were depatched by themselves with two laps start of the bicyclist and horse, the motor car being scratch. It was a sensational race owing to the conduct of the field, but on the handicap the elephant won, bicycle second, motor car third.1901, “Gleanings”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, volume 4, number 1, page 31:
3
An individual's physical or mental disadvantage or disability.
Sometimes considered offensive
4
A race or similar contest in which there is an allowance of time, distance, weight, or other advantage, to equalize the chances of the competitors.