Fetter vs. Chain — What's the Difference?

A chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles

A chain is a serial assembly of connected pieces, called links, typically made of metal, with an overall character similar to that of a rope in that it is flexible and curved in compression but linear, rigid, and load-bearing in tension. A chain may consist of two or more links.

Restrain with chains or manacles, typically around the ankles

A series of linked metal rings used for fastening or securing something, or for pulling loads

A device, usually one of a pair of rings connected to a chain, that is attached to the ankles or feet to restrict movement.

A sequence of items of the same type forming a line

Often fetters Something that serves to restrict; a restraint

A jointed measuring line consisting of linked metal rods.

To put fetters on; shackle.

A structure of planks projecting horizontally from a sailing ship's sides abreast of the masts, used to widen the basis for the shrouds.

To restrict or restrain

Fasten or secure with a chain

A chain or similar object used to bind a person or animal – often by its legs (usually in plural).

A connected, flexible series of links, typically of metal, used especially for holding objects together, for restraining, or for transmitting mechanical power.

(figurative) Anything that restricts or restrains.

Such a set of links, often of precious metal and with pendants attached, worn as an ornament or symbol of office.

(transitive) To shackle or bind up with fetters.

Often chains(Football) Such a set of links measuring ten yards and attached to a pole at each end, moved up and down the field to indicate necessary yardage for gaining a first down.

(transitive) To restrain or impede; to hamper.

A restraining or confining agent or force.

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.

Bonds, fetters, or shackles.

Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint.

Captivity or oppression; bondage

To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind.

A series of closely linked or connected things

To restrain from motion; to impose restraints on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.

A number of establishments, such as stores, theaters, or hotels, under common ownership or management.

A shackle for the ankles or feet

A range of mountains.

Restrain with fetters

(Chemistry) A series of chemically bonded atoms, especially carbon atoms, which may be arranged in an open, branched, or cyclic structure.

An instrument used in surveying, consisting of 100 linked pieces of iron or steel and measuring 66 feet (20.1 meters). Also called Gunter's chain.

A similar instrument used in engineering, measuring 100 feet (30.5 meters).

Abbr. ch A unit of measurement equal to the length of either of these instruments.

To bind or make fast with a chain or chains

To restrain or confine as if with chains

A series of interconnected rings or links usually made of metal.

A series of interconnected things.

A series of stores or businesses with the same brand name.

(chemistry) A number of atoms in a series, which combine to form a molecule.

(surveying) A series of interconnected links of known length, used as a measuring device.

(surveying) A long measuring tape.

A unit of length equal to 22 yards. The length of a Gunter's surveying chain. The length of a cricket pitch. Equal to 20.12 metres, 4 rods, or 100 links.

A totally ordered set, especially a totally ordered subset of a poset.

(British) A sequence of linked house purchases, each of which is dependent on the preceding and succeeding purchase (said to be "broken" if a buyer or seller pulls out).

That which confines, fetters, or secures; a bond.

Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.

A livery collar, a chain of office.

(weaving) The warp threads of a web.

(transitive) To fasten something with a chain.

(figurative) To connect as if with a chain, due to dependence, addiction, or other feelings

(intransitive) To link multiple items together.

(transitive) To secure someone with fetters.

(transitive) To obstruct the mouth of a river etc with a chain.

(figurative) To obligate.

(computing) To relate data items with a chain of pointers.

(computing) To be chained to another data item.

(transitive) To measure a distance using a 66-foot long chain, as in land surveying.

To load and automatically run (a program).

A series of links or rings, usually of metal, connected, or fitted into one another, used for various purposes, as of support, of restraint, of ornament, of the exertion and transmission of mechanical power, etc.

That which confines, fetters, or secures, as a chain; a bond; as, the chains of habit.

A series of things linked together; or a series of things connected and following each other in succession; as, a chain of mountains; a chain of events or ideas.

An instrument which consists of links and is used in measuring land.

Iron links bolted to the side of a vessel to bold the dead-eyes connected with the shrouds; also, the channels.

The warp threads of a web.

To fasten, bind, or connect with a chain; to fasten or bind securely, as with a chain; as, to chain a bulldog.

To keep in slavery; to enslave.

To unite closely and strongly.

To measure with the chain.

To protect by drawing a chain across, as a harbor.

A series of things depending on each other as if linked together;

(chemistry) a series of linked atoms (generally in an organic molecule)

A series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible ligament

A number of similar establishments (stores or restaurants or banks or hotels or theaters) under one ownership

Anything that acts as a restraint

A unit of length

British biochemist (born in Germany) who isolated and purified penicillin, which had been discovered in 1928 by Sir Alexander Fleming (1906-1979)

A series of hills or mountains;

Metal shackles; for hands or legs

A necklace made by a stringing objects together;

Connect or arrange into a chain by linking

Fasten or secure with chains;