FETTER

fetter, hobble

(noun) a shackle for the ankles or feet

fetter, shackle

(verb) restrain with fetters

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Proper noun

Fetter (plural Fetters)

A surname.

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Fetter is the 8392^nd most common surname in the United States, belonging to 3944 individuals. Fetter is most common among White (93.86%) individuals.

Etymology

Noun

fetter (plural fetters)

A chain or similar object used to bind a person or animal – often by its legs (usually in plural).

(figurative) Anything that restricts or restrains.

Synonyms

(chains on legs)

• leg irons

Hyponyms

(chain binding generally)

• handcuff, handcuffs

• leg irons

• manacle, manacles

• shackle, shackles

Verb

fetter (third-person singular simple present fetters, present participle fettering, simple past and past participle fettered)

(transitive) To shackle or bind up with fetters.

(transitive) To restrain or impede; to hamper.

Hyponyms

• handcuff

• manacle

• shackle

Source: Wiktionary

Fet"ter, n. Etym: [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feter, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fjöturr, L. pedi, Gr. foot. sq. root 77. See Foot.] [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, v. t. Etym: [imp. & p.p. Fettered (n. Fettering.]

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition