Fet"ter (?), n. [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feters, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fjoturr, L. pedia, 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.
© Webster 1913.
Fet"ter, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Fettered (); p.pr. & vb.n. Fettering.]
1. To put fetters upon; to shakle 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 restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.
My conscience! thou art fettered
More than my shanks and wrists.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.