fetter

/ˈfɛdər/

/ˈfɛtə/

Other forms: fetters; fettered; fettering

A fetter is a shackle or chain that is attached to someone’s ankles. To fetter someone is to restrict their movement, either literally or metaphorically. You might feel fettered by your parents' rules, even without the chains.

A fetter is anything that secures and limits the movement of the feet and legs of a prisoner. To fetter, the verb, could be used literally: the prison wardens would fetter the chain gangs who built many of the railroads in the United States, but it usually means something has been done to restrain someone’s behavior: "we finally managed to fetter our sons’ computer use with bribery."

Definitions of fetter

1. noun

   a shackle for the ankles or feet
   synonyms: hobble

   type of:

   bond, hamper, shackle, trammel

   a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
2. verb

   restrain with fetters
   synonyms: shackle

   types:

   cuff, handcuff, manacle

   confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

   type of:

   confine, hold, restrain

   to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement