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| bind [ bīnd ] |
verb (past bound [ bownd ], past participle bound, present participle bind·ing, 3rd person present singular binds) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive verb tie something firmly to something: to tie something firmly to something else by winding a cord tightly and repeatedly around both things
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2. transitive verb tie somebody's hands or feet together: to tie somebody's hands or feet together to make it difficult to escape
(
often passive
)
  had bound him hand and foot
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3. transitive verb wrap something tightly: to wind a cord, tape, or bandage firmly around something to protect it or hold it together
You have to bind the wound firmly.
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4. transitive verb handicraft protect edge of fabric: to protect or decorate the edge of a piece of material by stitching over it or attaching a strip of fabric to it
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5. transitive verb publishing put book together: to attach pages to one another and put them in a cover to form a book, leaflet, or other publication
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6. transitive and intransitive verb link people emotionally: to form a link or relationship between people based on loyalty, affection, or a shared experience
the instinct that binds mother and child
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7. transitive and intransitive verb stick together: to stick together, or cause things to stick together, so as to form a solid mass
The water, sand, and cement bind to form workable mortar.
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8. transitive and intransitive verb chemistry form chemical bond: to form a chemical bond with a substance
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9. transitive verb medicine make somebody constipated: to make somebody's feces firmer and more solid
(
refers to food or medicine
)
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10. intransitive verb engineering become stiff or stuck: to become stiff, stuck, or unable to move freely
(
refers to mechanical parts
)
The brakes are binding.
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11. transitive verb force somebody to do something: to oblige or compel somebody to do something, e.g. by invoking a law, contract or promise
(
often passive
)
bound by her oath of office
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12. transitive verb employ somebody as apprentice: formerly, to employ somebody as an apprentice under the terms of an agreement that obliged the apprentice to work for a fixed period, often several years
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noun (plural binds) |
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| Definition: |
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1. fencing movement pushing fencer's blade away: in fencing, a movement that pushes an opponent's blade out of line
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2. chess dominant position in chess: in chess, a position of dominance in the center of the board that restricts an opponent's moves
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| [ Old English bindan< Indo-European] |
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bound up with somebody or something closely involved with or connected to somebody or something
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in a bind in a difficult or unpleasant situation, especially a situation in which every option leads to difficulties
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