fetter

[ fet-er ]

See synonyms for fetter on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of fetter

before 900; Middle English, Old English feter; cognate with Old High German fezzera,Old Norse fjǫturr; akin to foot

Other words from fetter

fet·ter·er, noun
fet·ter·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fetter in a sentence

By K. Aleisha Fetters for Life by DailyBurn How did you sleep last night?
The Tracker That Might Actually Help You Sleep Better | DailyBurn | October 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
By K. Aleisha Fetters for Life by DailyBurn “Is that really gluten-free?”
The Gluten Detecting Device You’ll Want to Own | DailyBurn | October 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A few weeks ago Jason Silver was surfing Facebook and came across K. Aleisha Fetters, a 26-year-old freelance writer in Chicago.
Professional Matchmakers Build Business on Facebook | Nina Strochlic | August 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
And for K. Aleisha Fetters, seeing shows like Millionaire Matchmaker initially made her hesitant.
Professional Matchmakers Build Business on Facebook | Nina Strochlic | August 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Besides a severe beating, they have fetters placed round their neck and feet; these they have to wear for a considerable period.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida Pfeiffer

He hath built against me round about, that I may not get out: he hath made my fetters heavy.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
With touching naivet the Acts relate that no fetters could be found small enough for her wrists.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow
It was ever-present, implacable and sinister, yet so long as its fetters held, easily controlled.
The Underworld | James C. Welsh
Azenor the Pale, writhed with pain under her iron fetters as the flames, reaching her limbs, set her robe and long hair on fire.
The Pilgrim's Shell or Fergan the Quarryman | Eugne Sue

British Dictionary definitions for fetter

fetter

/ (ˈfɛtə) /

noun

(often plural) a chain or bond fastened round the ankle; shackle
(usually plural) a check or restraint: in fetters

verb(tr)

to restrict or confine
to bind in fetters

Origin of fetter

Old English fetor; related to Old Norse fjöturr fetter, Old High German fezzera, Latin pedica fetter, impedīre to hinder

Derived forms of fetter

fetterer, noun
fetterless, adjective

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

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