fetter (fetters plural & 3rd person present) (fettering present participle) (fettered past tense & past participle )
1 verb If you say that you are fettered by something, you dislike it because it prevents you from behaving or moving in a free and natural way.
LITERARY, disapproval
(=hamper)
...a private trust which would not be fettered by bureaucracy... be V-ed
The black mud fettered her movements. V n
2 n-plural You can use fetters to refer to things such as rules, traditions, or responsibilities that you dislike because they prevent you from behaving in the way you want.
LITERARY usu with supp, oft N of n (disapproval)
(=constraints)