Bind \Bind\, v. i.

1. To tie; to confine by any ligature.

They that reap must sheaf and bind. --Shak.

2. To contract; to grow hard or stiff; to cohere or stick together in a mass; as, clay binds by heat. --Mortimer.

3. To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.

4. To exert a binding or restraining influence. --Locke.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bind \Bind\, n.

1. That which binds or ties.

2. Any twining or climbing plant or stem, esp. a hop vine; a bine.

3. (Metal.) Indurated clay, when much mixed with the oxide of iron. --Kirwan.

4. (Mus.) A ligature or tie for grouping notes.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bind \Bind\, v. t. [imp. Bound; p. p. Bound, formerly Bounden; p. pr. & vb. n. Binding.]

[AS. bindan, perfect tense band, bundon, p. p. bunden; akin to D. & G. binden, Dan. binde, Sw. & Icel. binda, Goth. bindan, Skr. bandh (for bhandh) to bind, cf. Gr. ? (for ?) cable, and L. offendix. [root]90.]

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.

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.

3. To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; -- sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.

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.

5. To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action; as, certain drugs bind the bowels.

6. To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.

7. To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to bind a book.

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.

9. (Law)
   (a) To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant. --Abbott.
   (b) To place under legal obligation to serve; to indenture; as, to bind an apprentice; -- sometimes with out; as, bound out to service.

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.

Syn: To fetter; tie; fasten; restrain; restrict; oblige.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)