hamper, trammel, clog, fetter, shackle, manacle mean to hinder or impede in moving, progressing, or acting. hamper may imply the effect of any impeding or restraining influence.
hampered the investigation by refusing to cooperate trammel suggests entangling by or confining within a net.
rules that trammel the artist's creativity clog usually implies a slowing by something extraneous or encumbering.
a court system clogged by frivolous suits fetter suggests a restraining so severe that freedom to move or progress is almost lost.
a nation fettered by an antiquated class system shackle and manacle are stronger than fetter and suggest total loss of freedom.
a mind shackled by stubborn prejudice
a people manacled by tyranny
Did You Know?
Noun
While now used as a more general term for something that confines or restrains, "fetter" was originally applied specifically to a chain or shackle for the feet. Not surprisingly, the word's Old English ancestor, "feter," is etymologically shackled to "fĆt," the Old English ancestor of "foot." Both words have a long history in the English language, dating back to the early 9th century, and are chained to Sanskrit "pad," Latin ped- and pes, Greek pod- and "pous," Gothic "fotus," Norse "fĆtr," and Old High German fuoz.
Examples of fetter in a Sentence
Noun
a time-honored tradition is fine as long as it doesn't become a fetter that prevents us from trying something new
claims that government regulations are unnecessary fetters that keep him from achieving his business goals
Verb
He found himself fettered by responsibilities.
museum artifacts that serve as somber reminders of the days when slaves were fettered with irons
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fetter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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First Known Use of fetter
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
History and Etymology for fetter
Noun
Middle English feter, from Old English; akin to Old English fĆt foot