bind

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to cause to be constipated

   My diet bound me, causing me to seek medicine.

2. 2
   verb

   to form a chemical bond with

   The hydrogen binds the oxygen.

3. 3
   verb

   to bind by an obligation

   We are bound to the rules agreed upon.

4. 4
   verb

   to fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord

   They bound the prisoners hands together.

5. 5
   verb

   to secure with or as if with ropes

   We bound the bike to the roof of the car.

6. 6
   verb

   to make fast or tie tightly

   They asked me to bind the logs for firewood.

7. 7
   verb

   to wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose

   I didn't want my mirror to break, so I bound it in soft cloth.

8. 8
   verb

   to provide with a binding

   Bind the books in leather.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰendʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *bindaną Proto-West Germanic *bindan Old English bindan Middle English binden English bind From Middle English binden, from Old English bindan, from Proto-West Germanic *bindan, from Proto-Germanic *bindaną, from Proto-Indo-European *bʰéndʰ-e-ti, from *bʰendʰ- (“to tie”). See also West Frisian bine, Dutch binden, Low German binnen, binden, German binden, Danish binde; also Welsh ben (“cart”), Latin offendīx (“knot, band”), Lithuanian beñdras (“partner”), Albanian bind (“to convince, to awe, to spell”), Ancient Greek πεῖσμα (peîsma,…