fetter Definition
fet·ter (fet′ər)
noun
- a shackle or chain for the feet
- anything that holds in check; restraint
Etymology: ME feter < OE < base of fot, foot, akin to Ger fessel
transitive verb
- to bind with fetters; shackle; chain
- to hold in check; restrain; confine
Etymology: ME feterien < OE (ge)feterian
fetter Synonyms
fetter
v.
fetter Usage Examples
Object
- discretion: The question of whether elaborated guidance was likely to fetter the discretion of HFEA License Committees was raised.
- hand: Far better to die for our country than to go with fettered hands into captivity!
- exercise: It had also fettered the exercise of its own discretion by applying what amounted to an unlawful policy.
- people: Cuba did not shrink from continuing its call to other fettered peoples to rebel, or from giving them active help.
- ability: It does not fetter the ability of either parent to seek a decision from a court if they cannot agree between themselves.
- mind: It is from Heaven that the chains have come to fetter the minds of mortals " .
Converse of object
- become: It had become an absolute fetter on the further development of the economy.
- overcome: One should give up anger, renounce pride, and overcome all fetters.
Adjective modifier
absolute: It had become an absolute fetter on the further development of the economy.
Preposition: on
development: It had become an absolute fetter on the further development of the economy.
Modifying Another Word
- not: I am not fettered by adoration of your travel plans.
- still: Houdini lay on his side, still fettered by the manacles.
- longer: Once the first acts of treason against humanity had been enacted, the behavior of authorities worldwide was no longer fettered by virtue.
Noun used with modifier
iron: The right ankle of one, indeed, is connected with the left ankle of another by a small iron fetter.
Preposition: in
chain: PICKTHAL: And others linked together in chains, SHAKIR: And others fettered in chains.
Preposition: of
- slavery: In general even in the early days both England and France had already been bound with the fetters of slavery.
- iron: Oh, that God would help us to bind King Drunkenness with chains, and King Infidelity with fetters of iron!
- discretion: Having reviewed the law relating to the fettering of discretion Turner J held that this policy was unlawful for the reasons alleged.
- feudalism: Once liberated from the fetters of feudalism, bourgeois relations develop automatically.
- sin: I can see that you are doomed to taste the bitter fruit and wear the fetters of sin.
Browse dictionary entries near fetter
- ‹ fetoscope
- ‹ fetor
- ‹ fetology
- ‹ fetlock
- ‹ fetishize
- ‹ fetishism
- ‹ fetish
- ‹ fetiparous
- ‹ fetid
- ‹ feticide
- fetterbush ›
- fetters ›
- fettle ›
- fettling ›
- fettuccine ›
- fetus ›
- feu ›
- feud ›
- feudal ›
- feudal system ›

