fetter

UK: /ˈfɛtə^r/ US: /ˈfɛtɚ/ ,(fet′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fet•ter /ˈfɛtɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a chain or shackle placed on the feet.
2. Usually, fetters. [plural] anything that confines or restrains:
   Education is supposed to remove fetters from the mind.

v. [~ + object]

3. to put fetters upon:
   The pirates fettered their slaves.
4. to confine;
   restrain;
   restrict:
   fettered by a lack of self-confidence.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fet•ter  (fet′ər), n. 

1. a chain or shackle placed on the feet.
2. Usually, fetters. anything that confines or restrains:
   Boredom puts fetters upon the imagination.

v.t. 

3. to put fetters upon.
4. to confine;
   restrain.

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

fet′ter•er, n. 
fet′ter•less, adj.