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.Fet"ter (fĕt"tẽr), n.
[AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feterōs,
pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel.
fjöturr, L. pedica, Gr. pe`dh, 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.