Fetter, n.
Etymology: [AS. fetor, feter; akin to OS. feter, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel. fjöturr, L. pedi, Gr. foot. sq. root 77. See Foot.]
[Chiefly used in the plural, fetters.]
1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle. [They] bound him with fetters of brass. Judg. xvi. 21.
2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint. Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound. Dryden.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Fetter, v. t. [imp. & p.p. Fettered (n. Fettering.]
1. To put fetters upon; to shakle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind. My heels are fettered, but my fist is free. Milton.
2. To reastrain from motion; to impose restrains on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations. My conscience! thou art fettered More than my shanks and wrists. Shak.
Shades of meaning
Bonds may be of cord, leather, or any other substance that can bind; chains are of linked metal. Manacles and handcuffs are for the hands, fetters are primarily chains or jointed iron fastenings for the feet; gyves may be for either. A shackle is a metallic ring, clasp, or bracelet-like fastening for encircling and restraining a limb: commonly one of a pair, used either for hands or feet. Bonds, fetters, and chains are used in a general way for almost any form of restraint. Gyves is now wholly poetic, and the other words are mostly restricted to the literary style; handcuffs is the specific and irons the general term in popular usage; as, the prisoner was put in irons. Bonds, chains, and shackles are frequently used in the metaphorical sense.