bind

¹bind

verb \ˈbīnd\

bound \ˈbau̇nd\ bind·ing

Definition of BIND

transitive verb

1

a : to make secure by tying

b : to confine, restrain, or restrict as if with bonds

c : to put under an obligation <binds himself with an oath>

d : to constrain with legal authority

2

a : to wrap around with something so as to enclose or cover

b : bandage

3

: to fasten round about

4

: to tie together (as stocks of wheat)

5

a : to cause to stick together

b : to take up and hold (as by chemical forces) : combine with

6

: constipate

7

: to make a firm commitment for <a handshake binds the deal>

8

: to protect, strengthen, or decorate by a band or binding

9

: to apply the parts of the cover to (a book)

10

: to set at work as an apprentice : indenture

11

: to cause to have an emotional attachment

12

: to fasten together <a pin bound the ends of the scarf>

intransitive verb

1

a : to form a cohesive mass

b : to combine or be taken up especially by chemical action <antibody binds to a specific antigen>

2

: to hamper free movement or natural action

3

: to become hindered from free operation

4

: to exert a restraining or compelling effect <a promise that binds>

Examples of BIND

1. She bound her hair in a ponytail.
2. The machine binds the hay into bales.
3. He doesn't like to wear clothes that bind.

Origin of BIND

Middle English, from Old English bindan; akin to Old High German bintan to bind, Greek peisma cable, Sanskrit badhnāti he ties

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BIND

Synonyms

chain, enchain, enfetter, fetter, gyve, handcuff, manacle, pinion, shackle, trammel

Antonyms

unbind, unfetter, unshackle

Related Words

bit, hobble, hog-tie, iron, lash, secure, tie, truss; attach, fasten, join, link; confine, constrain, curb, hamper, hinder, impede; limit, restrict; entangle, tangle

Near Antonyms

emancipate, free, liberate, loose, release, rescue; undo, unfasten, untangle, untie; detach, disengage

Rhymes with BIND

blind, find, grind, hind, kind, mind, rind, signed, spined, tined, wind, wynd

²bind

noun

Definition of BIND

1

a : something that binds

b : the act of binding : the state of being bound

c : a place where binding occurs

2

: tie 3

3

: a position or situation in which one is hampered, constrained, or prevented from free movement or action

— in a bind

: in trouble

Examples of BIND

1. It's a real bind having to meet all these deadlines.
2. <with our vacation week fast approaching, and no arrangements for the care of our pets, we were in a serious bind>

First Known Use of BIND

before 12th century

Related to BIND

Synonyms

predicament, box, catch-22, corner, dilemma, fix, hole, impasse, jackpot [chiefly West], jam, mire, pickle, quagmire, rabbit hole, rattrap, spot, sticky wicket, swamp

Related Words

difficulty, node; hot water, soup; pinch, plight, quandary, scrape, trouble; deadlock, halt, logjam, stalemate, standstill; clutch, crisis, crossroad, emergency, exigency, juncture, strait