Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Fetter
Fet′ter (fĕt′tẽr), n. [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feterōs, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fjöturr, L. pedica, Gr. πέδη, and to E. foot. √ 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. [imp. & p. p. Fettered; p. pr. & vb. n. Fettering.] 1. To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind.
My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton.
2. To restrain from motion; to impose restraints on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.
My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.