Definition of fetter

The origin of the word "fetter" can be traced back to the Middle English term "fetheren," which meant "to fasten, bind strongly." The term "fettering" was used at that time to describe the process of securing a prisoner's feet together in chains or other restraints. The Old English word for fetter was "fĵǣtn," which is derived from the Old German word "feden," meaning "to bind." As the English language developed, the word "fetter" began to be used to refer specifically to a type of shackle or restraint used to bind a prisoner's ankles together. The related term "fetid" is also derived from Middle English, with the word "fetide," meaning "nasty, foul," coming from the same root as "feteren." This is because the smell of decaying matter was often associated with confinement and restraint, as prisoners in close proximity for prolonged periods of time could result in unpleasant odors. Today, the word "fetter" is still commonly used to refer to restraints or bonds that limit freedom of movement, particularly in a legal or institutional context. It can also be used more figuratively to describe psychological or emotional constraints that prevent a person from acting freely.