fetter Hear it!

fetter Definition

fet·ter (fetər)

noun

  1. a shackle or chain for the feet
  2. anything that holds in check; restraint

Etymology: ME feter < OE < base of fot, foot, akin to Ger fessel

transitive verb

  1. to bind with fetters; shackle; chain
  2. to hold in check; restrain; confine

Etymology: ME feterien < OE (ge)feterian

fetter Synonyms

fetter

v.

  1. To bind

    shackle, tie up, chain; see bind 1.

  2. To confine

    hamper, check, repress; see hinder, restrain 1.

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

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  6. fetishism
  7. fetish
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  9. fetid
  10. feticide
  1. fetterbush
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  4. fettling
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  6. fetus
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  8. feud
  9. feudal
  10. feudal system