I. ˈband noun
Etymology: in senses 1 & 2, from Middle English band, bond something that constricts, from Old Norse band; akin to Old English bindan to bind; in other senses, from Middle English bande strip, from Middle French, from Vulgar Latin * binda, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German binta fillet; akin to Old English bindan to bind, bend fetter — more at bind
Date: 12th century
1. : something that confines or constricts while allowing a degree of movement
2. : something that binds or restrains legally, morally, or spiritually
3. : a strip serving to join or hold things together: as
a. : belt 2
b. : a cord or strip across the back of a book to which the sections are sewn
4. : a thin flat encircling strip: as
a. : a close-fitting strip that confines material at the waist, neck, or cuff of clothing
b. : a strip of cloth used to protect a newborn baby's navel — called also bellyband
c. : a ring of elastic
5.
a. : a strip (as of living tissue or rock) or a stripe (as on an animal) differentiable (as by color, texture, or structure) from the adjacent material or area
b. : a more or less well-defined range of wavelengths, frequencies, or energies
c. : range 7a
6. : a narrow strip serving chiefly as decoration: as
a. : a narrow strip of material applied as trimming to an article of dress
b. plural : a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress
c. : a ring without raised portions
7. : track 1e(2)
II. verb
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to affix a band to or tie up with a band
2. : to finish or decorate with a band
3. : to gather together : unite
band ed themselves together for protection
intransitive verb
: to unite for a common purpose — often used with together
have band ed together in hopes of attacking the blight that is common to them all — J. B. Conant
• band·er noun
III. noun
Etymology: Middle French bande troop, from Old Occitan banda, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic bandwo sign, standard — more at banner
Date: 15th century
: a group of persons, animals, or things ; especially : a group of musicians organized for ensemble playing