01 v. t. To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in bundles; to bind a prisoner.
imp.
Bound; p. p.
Bound; p. pr. & vb. n.
Binding
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1.
To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in bundles; to bind a prisoner.
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2.
To confine, restrain, or hold by physical force or influence of any kind; as, attraction binds the planets to the sun; frost binds the earth, or the streams.“He bindeth the floods from overflowing.” — Job xxviii. 11.“Whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years.” — Luke xiii. 16.
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3.
To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; -- sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
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4.
To make fast ( a thing) about or upon something, as by tying; to encircle with something; as, to bind a belt about one; to bind a compress upon a part.
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5.
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action; as, certain drugs bind the bowels.
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6.
To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
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7.
To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to bind a book.
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8.
Fig.: To oblige, restrain, or hold, by authority, law, duty, promise, vow, affection, or other moral tie; as, to bind the conscience; to bind by kindness; bound by affection; commerce binds nations to each other.“Who made our laws to bind us, not himself.” — Milton.
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9.
To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant.(Law)
Phrases & compounds
To bind over —
to put under bonds to do something, as to appear at court, to keep the peace, etc.
To bind to —
to contract; as, to bind one's self to a wife.
To bind up in —
to cause to be wholly engrossed with; to absorb in.