fetter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a shackle for the ankles or feet
    hobble.
  2. verb restrain with fetters
    shackle.

WordNet

Fet"ter noun
Etymology
AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feters, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fjöturr, L. pedia, Gr. , and to E. foot. &root; 77. See Foot.
Definitions
Chiefly used in the plural, fetters.
  1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle.
    [They] bound him with fetters of brass. Judg. xvi. 21.
  2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint.
    Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. Dryden.
Fet"ter transitive verb
Etymology
imp. & p.p. Fettered (); p.pr. & vb.n. Fettering.
Definitions
  1. 1. To put fetters upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind.
    My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton.
  2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.
    My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.

Webster 1913