Better Gutenberg
Free, beautifully formatted public-domain ebooks

English Synonyms and Antonyms

by James Champlin Fernald

296 of 1101 · Contents · Download EPUB

Fetter.

Synonyms:

bondage,custody,gyves,irons,
bonds,durance,handcuffs,manacles,
chains,duress,imprisonment,shackles.

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.

← Back to English Synonyms and Antonyms

Scroll to Top