Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense fetters, present participle fettering, past tense, past participle fettered
1. verb
If you say that you are fettered by something, you dislike it because it prevents you from behaving or moving in a free and natural way.
[literary, disapproval]
...a private trust which would not be fettered by bureaucracy. [beVERB-ed]
The black mud fettered her movements. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: restrict, bind, confine, curb More Synonyms of fetter
2. plural noun
You can use fetters to refer to things such as rules, traditions, or responsibilities that you dislike because they prevent you from behaving in the way you want.
[literary, disapproval]
...the fetters of social convention.
3. countable noun [usually plural]
Especially in former times, fetters were chains for a prisoner's feet.
He saw a boy in fetters in the dungeons.
More Synonyms of fetter
fetter in British English
(ˈfɛtə)
noun
1. (often plural)
a chain or bond fastened round the ankle; shackle
2. (usually plural)
a check or restraint
the fetters of social convention
verb(transitive)
3.
to restrict or confine
4.
to bind in fetters
Derived forms
fetterer (ˈfetterer)
noun
fetterless (ˈfetterless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English fetor; related to Old Norse fjöturr fetter, Old High German fezzera, Latin pedica fetter, impedīre to hinder
fetter in American English
(ˈfɛtər)
noun
1.
a shackle or chain for the feet
2.
anything that holds in check; restraint
verb transitive
3.
to bind with fetters; shackle; chain
4.
to hold in check; restrain; confine
Word origin
ME feter < OE < base of fot, foot, akin to Ger fessel
Synonyms of 'fetter'
restraints, checks, curbs, constraints
chains, bonds, irons, shackles
restrict, bind, confine, curb
chain, tie, tie up, shackle
More Synonyms of fetter
1 (plural noun)
Definition
checks or restraints
without the fetters of restrictive rules
Synonyms
restraints
checks
curbs
constraints
captivity
obstructions
bondage
hindrances
2 (plural noun)
Definition
a chain fixed around a prisoner's ankle
He saw a boy in fetters in the dungeon.
Synonyms
chains
bonds
irons
These people need to be clapped in irons themselves.
shackles
manacles
leg irons
gyves (archaic)
bilboes
1 (verb)
Definition
to prevent from behaving freely and naturally
He would not be fettered by bureaucracy.
Synonyms
restrict
The shoulder straps restrict movement.
bind
All are bound by the same strict etiquette.
confine
curb
He must learn to curb that temper of his.
restrain
He grabbed my arm, partly to restrain me.
hamstring
He could hamstring a conservative-led coalition.
hamper
I was hampered by a lack of information.
encumber
fishermen encumbered with bulky clothing and boots
clip someone's wings
trammel
straiten
2 (verb)
Definition
to tie up in fetters
My foes fettered me hand and foot.
Synonyms
chain
We were kept in a cell, chained to the wall.
tie
tie up
shackle
The robber was shackled and led away.
hobble
A decrease in export activity hobbles our economy.