Bind vs. Fetter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Bind means to tie or secure something, often physically or metaphorically. Fetter, on the other hand, refers to restricting movement, typically with chains or restraints, symbolizing limitations or hindrances.
Difference Between Bind and Fetter
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Bind indicates the action of securing or fastening something. You might bind a package with twine or metaphorically bind yourself to a promise. In contrast, fetter implies restriction, typically by shackles or chains, often highlighting a sense of limitation.
Binding someone involves tying or securing them physically or metaphorically, like binding a contract that imposes obligations. Conversely, fettering restricts freedom through physical chains or metaphorical barriers, such as social norms fettering one's actions.
Bind often conveys a sense of secure attachment, whether binding objects together or binding people to promises. Meanwhile, fetter conveys confinement, like restricting someone with shackles, or metaphorically, fettering one's creativity through rigid rules.
In literature, "bind" is used for securing or compelling, as in binding agreements, while "fetter" is more dramatic and usually associated with chains, shackles, or figurative restraints on someone's behavior or thoughts.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
To tie, secure, or fasten
To restrain or restrict
ADVERTISEMENT
Usage Context
Physical/figurative attachment
Physical/metaphorical confinement
Examples
Binding a book, binding contract
Shackles fettering a prisoner
Connotation
Neutral, can be positive
Negative, often restrictive
Verb/Noun Usage
Common as a verb
Used more as a noun in "fetters"
Compare with Definitions
Bind
To secure with a tie or fastening.
She used rope to bind the bundle tightly.
Fetter
To restrain with chains or shackles.
The prisoner was fettered to the wall.
Bind
To adhere or stick to.
The paint will bind well to the primed surface.
Fetter
To limit or restrict freedom.
The company's strict policies fettered innovation.
Bind
To stitch together (e.g., a book).
The publisher will bind the pages into a hardcover.
Fetter
A figurative constraint or burden (noun).
The fetters of debt weighed heavily on her.
Bind
To impose a legal or moral obligation.
The contract will bind the parties for five years.
Fetter
To be bound by obligations or responsibilities.
The artist was fettered by commercial expectations.
Bind
To band together or unite.
The team members bind themselves in mutual support.
Fetter
Shackles or chains for feet (noun, usually plural).
The slave's fetters rattled as he walked.
Bind
To tie or secure, as with a rope or cord.
Fetter
A chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles
He lay bound with fetters of iron
Bind
To hold or restrain by tying with rope or bonds
Bound the prisoner.
Fetter
Restrain with chains or manacles, typically around the ankles
The Supervisor tossed a key to the old slave to unlock the chain that fettered the prisoners together
Bind
To fasten or wrap by encircling, as with a belt or ribbon
A dress bound with a sash.
Fetter
A device, usually one of a pair of rings connected to a chain, that is attached to the ankles or feet to restrict movement.
Bind
To bandage
Bound up their wounds.
Fetter
Often fetters Something that serves to restrict; a restraint
The fetters of tyranny.
Bind
To compel, constrain, or unite
Bound by a deep sense of duty.
Bound by a common interest in sports.
Fetter
To put fetters on; shackle.
Bind
To make certain or irrevocable
Bind the deal with a down payment.
Fetter
To restrict or restrain
Thinking that is fettered by prejudice.
Bind
(Law) To place under legal obligation.
Fetter
A chain or similar object used to bind a person or animal – often by its legs (usually in plural).
Bind
To apprentice or indenture
Was bound out as a servant.
Fetter
(figurative) Anything that restricts or restrains.
Bind
(Chemistry) To combine with, form a chemical bond with, or be taken up by, as an enzyme with its substrate.
Fetter
(transitive) To shackle or bind up with fetters.
Bind
To cause to cohere or stick together in a mass
Bind the dry ingredients with milk and eggs.
Fetter
(transitive) To restrain or impede; to hamper.
Bind
To constipate.
Fetter
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.
Bind
To enclose and fasten (the pages of a book or other printed material) between covers.
Fetter
Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint.
Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound.
Bind
To furnish with an edge or border for protection, reinforcement, or ornamentation.
Fetter
To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of with a chain; to bind.
My heels are fettered, but my fist is free.
Bind
To tie up or fasten something.
Fetter
To restrain from motion; to impose restraints on; to confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.
My conscience! thou art fetteredMore than my shanks and wrists.
Bind
To stick or become stuck
Applied a lubricant to keep the moving parts from binding.
Fetter
A shackle for the ankles or feet
Bind
To be uncomfortably tight or restricting, as clothes.
Fetter
Restrain with fetters
Bind
To become compact or solid; cohere.
Bind
To be compelling, constraining, or unifying
Moved to her home town because of the ties that bind.
Bind
(Chemistry) To combine chemically or form a chemical bond.
Bind
The act of binding.
Bind
The state of being bound.
Bind
Something that binds.
Bind
A place where something binds
A bind halfway up the seam of the skirt.
Bind
(Informal) A difficult, restrictive, or unresolvable situation
Found themselves in a bind when their car broke down.
Bind
(Music) A tie, slur, or brace.
Bind
(intransitive) To tie; to confine by any ligature.
Bind
(intransitive) To cohere or stick together in a mass.
Just to make the cheese more binding
Bind
(intransitive) To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
I wish I knew why the sewing machine binds up after I use it for a while.
Bind
(intransitive) To exert a binding or restraining influence.
These are the ties that bind.
Bind
(transitive) To tie or fasten tightly together, with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.
To bind grain in bundles
To bind a prisoner
Bind
(transitive) To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind.
Gravity binds the planets to the sun.
Frost binds the earth.
Bind
(transitive) To couple.
Bind
(figuratively) To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other social tie.
To bind the conscience
To bind by kindness
Bound by affection
Commerce binds nations to each other
Bind
(law) To put (a person) under definite legal obligations, especially, under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
Bind
(law) To place under legal obligation to serve.
To bind an apprentice
Bound out to service
Bind
(transitive) To protect or strengthen by applying a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
Bind
To make fast (a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something.
To bind a belt about one
To bind a compress upon a wound
Bind
(transitive) To cover, as with a bandage.
To bind up a wound
Bind
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action, as by producing constipation.
Certain drugs bind the bowels.
Bind
(transitive) To put together in a cover, as of books.
The three novels were bound together.
Bind
To make two or more elements stick together.
Bind
To associate an identifier with a value; to associate a variable name, method name, etc. with the content of a storage location.
Bind
To process one or more object modules into an executable program.
Bind
To complain; to whine about something.
Bind
To wear a binder so as to flatten one's chest to give the appearance of a flat chest, usually done by trans men.
I haven't binded since I got my top surgery.
I hear binder tech has improved since I last bound.
Bind
That which binds or ties.
Bind
A troublesome situation; a problem; a predicament or quandary.
Bind
Any twining or climbing plant or stem, especially a hop vine; a bine.
Bind
(music) A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
Bind
(chess) A strong grip or stranglehold on a position, which is difficult for the opponent to break.
The Maróczy Bind
Bind
The indurated clay of coal mines.
Bind
To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in bundles; to bind a prisoner.
Bind
To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind; as, attraction binds the planets to the sun; frost binds the earth, or the streams.
He bindeth the floods from overflowing.
Whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years.
Bind
To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; - sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
Bind
To make fast ( a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something; as, to bind a belt about one; to bind a compress upon a part.
Bind
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action; as, certain drugs bind the bowels.
Bind
To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
Bind
To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to bind a book.
Bind
Fig.: To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other moral tie; as, to bind the conscience; to bind by kindness; bound by affection; commerce binds nations to each other.
Who made our laws to bind us, not himself.
Bind
To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant.
Bind
To tie; to confine by any ligature.
They that reap must sheaf and bind.
Bind
To contract; to grow hard or stiff; to cohere or stick together in a mass; as, clay binds by heat.
Bind
To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
Bind
To exert a binding or restraining influence.
Bind
That which binds or ties.
Bind
Any twining or climbing plant or stem, esp. a hop vine; a bine.
Bind
Indurated clay, when much mixed with the oxide of iron.
Bind
A ligature or tie for grouping notes.
Bind
Something that hinders as if with bonds
Bind
Stick to firmly;
Will this wallpaper adhere to the wall?
Bind
Create social or emotional ties;
The grandparents want to bond with the child
Bind
Make fast; tie or secure, with or as if with a rope;
The Chinese would bind the feet of their women
Bind
Wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose
Bind
Secure with or as if with ropes;
Tie down the prisoners
Tie up the old newspapes and bring them to the recycling shed
Bind
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
Bind
Form a chemical bond with;
The hydrogen binds the oxygen
Bind
Provide with a binding;
Bind the books in leather
Bind
Fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord;
They tied their victim to the chair
Bind
Cause to be constipated;
These foods tend to constipate you
Common Curiosities
Is one term more positive than the other?
Bind is neutral and can be positive or neutral, whereas fetter often has a negative connotation.
Does fetter always refer to chains or shackles?
Not always; it can be used metaphorically to mean anything that restricts freedom.
Is bind always used in a physical sense?
No, it can be used metaphorically, such as in binding agreements or promises.
Can fetter be used as a verb and a noun?
Yes, fetter is a verb (to restrain) and a noun (chains or shackles).
Is "fetters" always plural?
Generally, yes, but the singular form "fetter" can be used to describe one restraint.
Can bind and fetter be used interchangeably?
They cannot be used interchangeably, as bind implies secure attachment and fetter implies restraint.
Can fetter imply metaphorical constraints?
Yes, fetters can refer to metaphorical limitations or burdens.
Are fetters primarily used in legal contexts?
No, they're more common in literature and metaphorical speech than strict legal usage.
What is the difference between bind and fetter?
Bind means to tie or secure something, while fetter usually means to restrict movement, particularly with chains.
What is the origin of "bind"?
It originates from Old English "bindan," meaning "to fasten or tie."
How can bind and fetter be used figuratively?
Bind can relate to obligations or promises, while fetter can refer to societal norms or expectations restricting freedom.
Does bind have a negative connotation?
Not necessarily, it can be neutral or positive depending on context.
Does bind imply consent or willingness?
It can, such as in binding contracts, though not always, as with forced constraints.
Can you bind intangible things?
Yes, like binding promises or agreements.
Do fetters always imply physical restraint?
No, metaphorical usage is common, such as fetters of tradition.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Comatose vs. Obtunded
Next Comparison
Quickly vs. SoonAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
