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.
{Binding beam} (Arch.), the main timber in double flooring.
{Binding joist} (Arch.), the secondary timber in
double-framed flooring.
Syn: Obligatory; restraining; restrictive; stringent;
astringent; costive; styptic.
2. Anything that binds; a bandage; the cover of a book, or
the cover with the sewing, etc.; something that secures
the edge of cloth from raveling.
3. pl. (Naut.) The transoms, knees, beams, keelson, and other
chief timbers used for connecting and strengthening the
parts of a vessel.