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fetter

[/ˈfɛtər/]
noun/verbpl: fetters
grilhão; corrente; algema
1. (noun) A chain or shackle fastened around the ankle or wrist of a prisoner or enslaved person
The prisoner was bound in fetters.
O prisioneiro estava acorrentado em grilhões.
2. (noun) A restraint or impediment to freedom of action
The regulations were seen as fetters on innovation.
Os regulamentos eram vistos como entraves à inovação.
3. (verb) To put shackles or chains on someone
They fettered the captives before the journey.
Acorrentaram os cativos antes da jornada.
4. (verb) To restrict or limit someone's freedom or ability
Debt can fetter one's opportunities.
A dívida pode limitar as oportunidades de alguém.
Synonyms
shacklechainrestrainhamperconstrainbind
Antonyms
liberatefreereleaseunchainemancipate

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
grilhão; corrente
Most common usage in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese
Portugal
grilheta; corrente; cadeia
Alternative Portuguese term with historical literary usage
General Brazilian
entrave; obstáculo
For metaphorical sense of restriction or impediment

Related Idioms & Phrases

fetter and chain
break one's fetters
cast off fetters
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