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Webster 1913 Edition

Fetter

Fet′ter

(fĕt′tẽr)
,
Noun.
[AS.
fetor
,
feter
; akin to OS.
feterōs
, pl., OD.
veter
, OHG.
fezzera
, Icel.
fjöturr
, L.
pedica
, Gr.
πέδη
, 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.

Fet′ter

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp.
&
p.
p.
Fettered
;
p.
pr.
&
vb.
Noun.
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.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition

Fetter

FET'TER

, n.
1.
A chain for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or fixed, as a prisoner, or impeded in motion and hindered from leaping, as a horse whose fore and hind feet are confined by a chain.
The Philistines bound Samson with fetters of brass.
Judges 16.
2.
Any thing that confines or restrains from motion.
Passions too fierce to be in fetters bound.

FET'TER

, v.t.
1.
To put on fetters; to shackle or confine the feet with a chain.
2.
To bind; to enchain; to confine; to restrain motion; to impose restraints on.
Fetter strong madness in a silken thread.

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