Bind

v. t.

imp. Bound; p. p. Bound; p. pr. & vb. n. Binding

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.
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.
To cover, as with a bandage; to bandage or dress; -- sometimes with up; as, to bind up a wound.
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.
To prevent or restrain from customary or natural action; as, certain drugs bind the bowels.
To protect or strengthen by a band or binding, as the edge of a carpet or garment.
To sew or fasten together, and inclose in a cover; as, to bind a book.
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.
To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant. (Law)

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.

v. i.

To tie; to confine by any ligature.
They that reap must sheaf and bind.
— Shak.
To contract; to grow hard or stiff; to cohere or stick together in a mass; as, clay binds by heat.
To be restrained from motion, or from customary or natural action, as by friction.
To exert a binding or restraining influence.