(亦作 fetters)
1- a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles脚镣：
he lay bound with fetters of iron.
他戴着铁制的脚镣躺着。
1.1
- a restraint or check on someone's freedom to do something, typically one considered unfair or overly restrictive（尤指不公平或过度的）束缚, 羁绊：
the fetters of discipline and caution.
纪律与戒心的束缚。
with obj.
1- restrain with chains or manacles, typically around the ankles为…上脚镣：
as adj. fettered a ragged and fettered prisoner.一个衣衫褴褛、戴着脚镣的囚犯。
1.1
- often be fettered restrict or restrain (someone) in an unfair or undesirable fashion（不公平地或违人愿地）限制, 束缚, 羁绊（人）：
he was not fettered by tradition.
他不囿于传统。
词源
Old English feter, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch veter 'a lace', from an Indo-European root shared by FOOT.