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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 8392nd 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
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