Middle English Dictionary Entry

bō̆nd n.
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Entry Info

Forms bō̆nd n. Also bā̆nd, bound.
Etymology ON band (akin to OE bend, which survives in early ME).

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

Note: Cp. bend(e n.(1)
1a.
Something used for tying, binding, wrapping, fastening, joining: (a) a cord, string (also fig.); a strap, halter, leash; a bowstring; (b) a twist of straw; a tendril; (c) a bandage or wrapping; (d) a circlet or fillet; a ribbon; (e) a withe; a hoop; a metal band or trimming; (f) a tie-beam, joist, transverse bar, etc.; a timbered or panelled ceiling; (g) a hinge; (h) a ligament, ?a muscle; (i) a link.
Show 44 Quotations
1b.
Something that is bound or tied: (a) a bundle, fagot; (b) a knot; (c) ?size (?orig., a bundle of legal size).
Show 7 Quotations
1c.
(a) A strip or side of bacon; (b) a stripe or welt (from flogging).
Show 2 Quotations
1d.
(a) band-clog, hinge block (of a door); (b) ~ dogge, a chained watchdog (usually a mastiff or bloodhound).
Show 5 Quotations
2.
(a) A fetter or shackle (to hold a prisoner); (b) confinement, imprisonment; in bond(es; bringen, lesen out of ~, deliver from imprisonment; etc.
Show 29 Quotations
3.
(a) A (binding) promise, a commitment, a pledge; also, an obligation or duty; maken ~, impose an obligation; (b) a mutual agreement; a covenant or contract; also, a document embodying a contract; the arke of ~, the Ark of the Covenant; (c) a mutual agreement or obligation undertaken at marriage; ~ of mariage, spousaille, wedlok.
Show 35 Quotations
4.
A feudal obligation, as of a lord to his tenant or of a tenant to his lord; also a document embodying such an obligation.
Show 4 Quotations
5.
(a) A force that dominates, controls, compels, constrains, or restrains; domination, dominance, sway; also, domain; in harde bondes, in distress; in the bandes of oure Lady, in confinement, ?in labor; (b) a binding injunction or rule.
Show 37 Quotations
6.
A force that unites, a bond or tie; ~ of love, love ~; ~ of thinges.
Show 9 Quotations
7.
Her. A bend.
Show 2 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. band.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. bond.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)1343 : A new born barn lay..Bondon wit a sueþelband.
    • Note: New cpd.
  • (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Gen.9.17 : Þis schall be token of þe bonde of pees þat I haue (y)ordeyned by twix me & all flesch.
    • Note: Antedates phrase in 3.(a)--per JR
  • (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)7.197 : One..comaunded þe dede body þat it schulde rise, whiche answerynge þat it myȝt nouȝt for þe bondes.
    • Note: ?New sense of bond: chain, etc.

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