## Etymology
From Middle English bondage, from Anglo-Latin bondagium, from Middle English bonde ('serf, tenant farmer'), from Old English bonda, bunda ('householder'), from Old Norse bóndi ('husbandman, freeholder'), with sense influenced by bond.

## AI Etymology
Bondage is a noun meaning "the state of being a slave or under another's control". Historically, it is from Middle English bondage, from Anglo-Latin bondagium, from Middle English bonde ('serf, tenant farmer'), from Old English bonda, bunda ('householder'), from Old Norse bóndi ('husbandman, freeholder'), with sense influenced by bond. The semantic history matters here: the earlier use is the starting point, and the modern sense, "the state of being a slave or under another's control", is the later or specialized English value. The historical chain is anchored in Old Norse bóndi. Close English family members include bond, bondman, bondsman, and bound.

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- Law & Government

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