— bindable , adj.
/buynd/ , v. , bound, binding , n.
v.t.
1. to fasten or secure with a band or bond.
2. to encircle with a band or ligature: She bound her hair with a ribbon.
3. to swathe or bandage (often fol. by up ): to bind up one's wounds.
4. to fasten around; fix in place by girding: They bound his hands behind him.
5. to tie up (anything, as sheaves of grain).
6. to cause to cohere: Ice bound the soil.
7. to unite by any legal or moral tie: to be bound by a contract.
8. to hold to a particular state, place, employment, etc.: Business kept him bound to the city.
9. to place under obligation or compulsion (usually used passively): We are bound by good sense to obey the country's laws.
10. Law. to put under legal obligation, as to keep the peace or appear as a witness (often fol. by over ): This action binds them to keep the peace. He was bound over to the grand jury.
11. to make compulsory or obligatory: to bind the order with a deposit.
12. to fasten or secure within a cover, as a book: They will bind the new book in leather.
13. to cover the edge of, as for protection or ornament: to bind a carpet.
14. (of clothing) to chafe or restrict (the wearer): This shirt binds me under the arms.
15. Med. to hinder or restrain (the bowels) from their natural operations; constipate.
16. to indenture as an apprentice (often fol. by out ): In his youth his father bound him to a blacksmith.
v.i.
17. to become compact or solid; cohere.
18. to be obligatory: an obligation that binds.
19. to chafe or restrict, as poorly fitting garments: This jacket binds through the shoulders.
20. to stick fast, as a drill in a hole.
21. Falconry. (of a hawk) to grapple or grasp prey firmly in flight.
22. bind off , Textiles. to loop (one stitch) over another in making an edge on knitted fabric.
n.
23. the act or process of binding; the state or instance of being bound.
24. something that binds.
25. Music. a tie, slur, or brace.
26. Falconry. the act of binding.
27. Informal. a difficult situation or predicament: This schedule has us in a bind.
[ bef. 1000; ME binden (v.), OE bindan; c. OHG bintan, ON binda, Goth bindan, Skt bandhati (he) binds ]
Syn. 1. gird, attach, tie. 2. confine, restrain. 9. engage, oblige, obligate.
Ant. 1. untie.