fetter
[ fet-er ]
/ ˈfɛt ər /
noun
a chain or shackle placed on the feet.
Usually fetters. anything that confines or restrains: Boredom puts fetters upon the imagination.
verb (used with object)
to put fetters upon.
to confine; restrain.
Nearby words
fetoscopic, fetoscopist, fetoscopy, fetotoxicity, fetta, fetter, fetter bone, fetterbush, fetterlock, fettle, fettler
Origin of fetter
before 900; Middle English, Old English feter; cognate with Old High German fezzera, Old Norse fjǫturr; akin to foot
Related formsfet·ter·er, nounfet·ter·less, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for fetter
British Dictionary definitions for fetter
fetter
/ (ˈfɛtə) /
noun
(often plural) a chain or bond fastened round the ankle; shackle
(usually plural) a check or restraintin fetters
verb (tr)
to restrict or confine
to bind in fetters
Derived Formsfetterer, nounfetterless, adjective
Word Origin for fetter
Old English fetor; related to Old Norse fjöturr fetter, Old High German fezzera, Latin pedica fetter, impedīre to hinder
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012