fetter

/ˈfetə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfetər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfe-tər/ (ame, mw)

fetter — verb

  • fetterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • fettershe / she / it
  • fetteredpast simple
  • fettering-ing form

1. to seriously limit someone's ability to develop, make decisions, or act freely,

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to seriously limit someone's ability to develop, make decisions, or act freely, especially because of rules, traditions, or difficult conditions

例句

Sofia felt that the strict company rules fettered her ability to suggest new ideas.

fetter + ability; often passive with feeling of restriction

Outdated laws have fettered the country's economic growth for decades.

同義詞
  • shackle

    Nearly identical in meaning and register; shackle also has a literal sense

  • hamper

    Less severe — suggests making progress difficult rather than completely blocking it

  • hinder

    More general and common; can apply to any obstacle, large or small

  • restrain

    Broader in meaning; can be physical or non-physical, less literary in tone

反義詞
  • liberate

    To set free from restrictions

  • free

    Everyday term for removing limits

  • unleash

    To release fully, often of energy or potential

文法句型

fetter someone/something

be fettered by something

用法筆記

Almost always used in figurative contexts. Common in the passive voice (be fettered by). The subject doing the fettering is typically an abstract force — rules, traditions, fear, debt, a lack of resources.

常見錯誤

❌The rain fettered us from going to the park.
✅The rain stopped us from going to the park.
💡Fetter is too strong and formal for a minor everyday inconvenience; it suggests a serious, long-term restriction on freedom or progress.

2. to attach metal rings or chains around a person's ankles so that they cannot wal

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to attach metal rings or chains around a person's ankles so that they cannot walk or run away freely

例句

In the old prison, guards fettered each new prisoner's ankles with heavy iron rings.

fetter + ankles + with [instrument]

The captured soldiers were fettered and forced to march through the town.

passive: be fettered

同義詞
  • shackle

    Can apply to wrists or ankles, equally literary

  • chain

    More common in everyday language; less specific to the ankles

  • put in irons

    A historical expression referring to metal restraints

反義詞
  • unfetter

    To remove fetters from; also used figuratively

  • free

    General term for releasing from physical restraint

  • release

    To set a captive or prisoner free

文法句型

fetter someone

fetter someone to something

be fettered in/by chains

用法筆記

Refers strictly to physical restraint of the ankles. In modern contexts the word may sound historical or literary; everyday speech uses chain or shackle instead.

常見錯誤

❌She fettered her shoelaces together.
✅She tied her shoelaces together.
💡Fetter means to restrain someone by chaining their ankles; it does not mean simply tying things together.

fetter — noun