A chain or metal band placed around the ankle or foot to restrain a prisoner or slave; to restrict, confine, or impede someone's freedom.
From Old English 'feter' (foot chain), related to Old High German 'fezzo' and the same root as 'foot.' The word has meant physical and metaphorical chains since Anglo-Saxon times.
Though we mostly use 'fetter' metaphorically now ('fettered by rules'), the word literally represents iron shackles around ankles—its history is embedded in the painful reality of slavery and imprisonment.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.