Hypertext Webster Gateway: "fetter"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Fetter \Fet"ter\, n. [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feter?s,
pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fj["o]turr, L. pedi?a,
Gr. ?, and to E. foot. [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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Fetter \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
fetter
n : a shackle for the ankles or feet [syn: {hobble}]
v : restrain with fetters [syn: {shackle}]
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