ppl. a. [UN-1 8: cf. Sw. ofjettrad.] Not confined or restrained by fetters. Chiefly in fig. use: Unrestrained, unrestricted.
1601. Donne, Progr. Soul, I. xviii. To an unfetterd soules quick nimble hast Are falling stars, and hearts thoughts, but slow pac’d.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, Ded., Ess. (ed. Ker), II. 220. Now, if a Muse cannot run when she is unfettered, it is a sign she has but little speed.
1748. Smollett, R. Random, xxiv. One of my fellow captives who was unfettered.
1787. Burns, Lett. to Moore, 15 Feb. The unfettered wild flight of native genius.
1855. Prescott, Philip II., II. i. (1857), 193. A people accustomed from infancy to the unfettered exercise of their faculties.
1879. Froude, Cæsar, x. 117. He was left unfettered to act at his own discretion.
b. Const. by.
1800. Asiat. Ann. Reg., Chron., 14/1. He took a new estate, unfettered by conditions, and subject only to the quit rents.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., xxvii. I envy not the beast that takes His license … Unfetter’d by the sense of crime.
