What does fetter mean?
Definitions for fetter
ˈfɛt ərfet·ter
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word fetter.
Princeton's WordNet
fetter, hobbleverb
a shackle for the ankles or feet
fetter, shackleverb
restrain with fetters
Wiktionary
fetternoun
A chain or similar object used to bind a person or animal by its legs (usually in plural).
fetternoun
Anything that restricts or restrains in any way.
fetterverb
To shackle or bind up with fetters
fetterverb
To restrain or impede; to hamper.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
FETTERnoun
It is commonly used in the plural fetters. Chains for the feet; chains by which walking is hindered.
Etymology: from feet; fettere , Saxon.
Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. Ecclus. xxi. 19.
Drawing after me the chains and fetters whereunto I have been thirteen years tied, I have by other mens errours failed. Walter Raleigh, Apology.
Passion’s too fierce to be in fetters bound,
And nature flies him like enchanted ground. Dryden.The wretch in double fetters bound,
Your potent mercy may release. Matthew Prior.I thought her pride
Had broke your fetters, and assur’d your freedom. Ambrose Philips.To Fetterverb
To bind; to enchain; to shackle; to tie.
Etymology: from the noun.
Neither her great worthiness nor his own suffering for her, could fetter his fickleness. Philip Sidney.
My conscience! thou art fetter’d
More than my shanks and wrists. William Shakespeare, Cymbeline.Fetter strong madness in a silken thread;
Charm ach with air, and agony with words. William Shakespeare.Doth a master chide his servant because he doth not come, yet knows that the servant is chained and fettered, so as he cannot move? John Bramhall, against Hobbes.
A chain which man to fetter man has made;
By artifice impos’d, by fear obey’d. Matthew Prior.
Wikipedia
fetter
Legcuffs are physical restraints used on the ankles of a person to allow walking only with a restricted stride and to prevent running and effective physical resistance. Frequently used alternative terms are leg cuffs, (leg/ankle) shackles, footcuffs, fetters or leg irons. The term "fetter" shares a root with the word "foot". Shackles are typically used on prisoners and slaves. Leg shackles also are used for chain gangs to keep them together.Metaphorically, a fetter may be anything that restricts or restrains in any way, hence the word "unfettered".
ChatGPT
fetter
A fetter is a chain or manacle typically used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles. It can also refer to a restraining or inhibiting factor or element, restricting someone's freedom or development. In a more symbolic sense, it describes anything that restricts or prevents someone from doing what they want.
Webster Dictionary
Fetternoun
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
Fetternoun
anything that confines or restrains; a restraint
Fetter
to put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind
Fetter
to restrain from motion; to impose restraints on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations
Etymology: [imp. & p. p. Fettered (); p. pr. & vb. n. Fettering.]
Wikidata
Fetter
In Buddhism, a mental fetter, chain or bond shackles a sentient being to saṃsāra, the cycle of lives with dukkha. By cutting through all fetters, one attains nibbāna.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Fetter
fet′ėr, n. a chain or shackle for the feet: anything that restrains—used chiefly in pl.—v.t. to put fetters on: to restrain.—adjs. Fett′ered, bound by fetters: (zool.) of feet bent backward and apparently unfit for walking; Fett′erless, without fetters, unrestrained.—n. Fett′erlock (her.) a shackle or lock. [A.S. feter—fét, feet, pl. of fót, foot.]
Military Dictionary and Gazetteer
fetter
To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet with a chain; to bind; to enchain. Deserters are sometimes fettered while undergoing punishment for the crime of desertion.
Surnames Frequency by Census Records
FETTER
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fetter is ranked #8392 in terms of the most common surnames in America.
The Fetter surname appeared 3,944 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 would have the surname Fetter.
93.8% or 3,702 total occurrences were White.
2.1% or 86 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
1.5% or 60 total occurrences were of two or more races.
0.8% or 34 total occurrences were Black.
0.8% or 33 total occurrences were Asian.
0.7% or 29 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Matched Categories
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Anagrams for fetter »
frette
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of fetter in Chaldean Numerology is: 1
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of fetter in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2
Examples of fetter in a Sentence
Me in chains? You may fetter my leg but my will, not even Zeus himself can overpower.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for fetter
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- оковавам, ограничавам, букаи, окови, спъвамBulgarian
- engrillonar, obstacle, impedir, grillóCatalan, Valencian
- poutoCzech
- FußschellenGerman
- aherrojar, grillos, traba, manea, pihuela, impedir, pihuelas, obstáculo, engrillarSpanish
- قید و بند, بند, غل و زنجیر, قید, بستنPersian
- kahleet, rajoittaa, kahle, kahlitaFinnish
- entrave, entraverFrench
- cuibhrighIrish
- cuibhrich, cuibhreach, dì-leumScottish Gaelic
- béklyó, lábbilincs, bilincs, láncHungarian
- katenizarIdo
- hlekkja, fjötraIcelandic
- incatenare, ceppi, ostacoli, ostacolare, ferriItalian
- teneoLatin
- оковува, о́ков, пра́нгаMacedonian
- ထူးBurmese
- boeienDutch
- pęto, pęta, okowy, kajdanyPolish
- prender, grilhetas, peia, ferros, agrilhoar, grilhões, acorrentar, encadearPortuguese
- пу́ты, связывать, кандалы́, око́вы, сковывать, заковыватьRussian
- राहुलSanskrit
- fjättra, fotbojaSwedish
- prangaTurkish
- efirdjî, aroke, epîtoe, epasturer, atna, epîterWalloon
- פעטערYiddish
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"fetter." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 21 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/fetter>.
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