Fet"ter (f&ebreve;t"t&etilde;r), 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.

2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint.

Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound.

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.

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.

• A chain or similar object used to bind a person or animal by its legs.
  
• (metaphorical) Anything that restricts or restrains in any way.
  
• To restrain or restrict; to hamper.