■ noun
1》 a thing used to tie or fasten things together.
↘( ~s ) physical restraints used to hold someone prisoner.
2》 a force or feeling that unites people.
3》 a binding agreement, especially one which commits someone to make a payment to another.
↘a certificate issued by a government or a public company promising to repay borrowed money at a fixed rate of interest at a specified time.
↘an insurance policy held by a company, which protects against losses resulting from circumstances such as bankruptcy.
↘ N. Amer. a sum of money paid as bail.
4》 (also chemical ~ ) a strong force of attraction holding atoms together in a molecule.
5》 Building a pattern in which bricks are laid to ensure the strength of a structure.
■ verb
1》 join or be joined securely to something else.
2》 establish a relationship based on shared feelings or experiences.
3》 join or be joined by a chemical ~.
4》 [usu. as adjective ~ing ] lay (bricks) in a strong overlapping pattern.
5》 [usu. as noun ~ing ] place (dutiable goods) in ~.
Phrases
in ~ (of dutiable goods) stored in a ~ed warehouse.
Origin
ME: var. of band 1 .