BIND

I. verb (bound; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~an; akin to Old High German bintan to ~, Greek peisma cable, Sanskrit badhnāti he ties Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to make secure by tying, to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds, to put under an obligation , to constrain with legal authority, 2. to wrap around with something so as to enclose or cover, bandage , to fasten round about, to tie together (as stocks of wheat), 5. to cause to stick together, to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) ; combine with, constipate , to make a firm commitment for , to protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or ~ing, to apply the parts of the cover to (a book), to set at work as an apprentice ; indenture , to cause to have an emotional attachment, to fasten together , intransitive verb 1. to form a cohesive mass, to combine or be taken up especially by chemical action , to hamper free movement or natural action, to become hindered from free operation, to exert a restraining or compelling effect , II. noun Date: before 12th century 1. something that ~s, the act of ~ing ; the state of being bound, a place where ~ing occurs, tie 3, a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action