band

I. noun Etymology: in senses 1 & 2, from Middle English band, bond something that constricts, from Old Norse band; akin to Old English bindan to bind; in other senses, from Middle English bande strip, from Middle French, from Vulgar Latin *binda, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German binta fillet; akin to Old English bindan to bind, bend fetter — more at bind Date: 12th century 1. something that confines or constricts while allowing a degree of movement 2. something that binds or restrains legally, morally, or spiritually 3. a strip serving to join or hold things together: as a. belt 2 b. a cord or strip across the back of a book to which the sections are sewn 4. a thin flat encircling strip: as a. a close-fitting strip that confines material at the waist, neck, or cuff of clothing b. a strip of cloth used to protect a newborn baby's navel — called also bellyband c. a ring of elastic 5. a. a strip (as of living tissue or rock) or a stripe (as on an animal) differentiable (as by color, texture, or structure) from the adjacent material or area b. a more or less well-defined range of wavelengths, frequencies, or energies c. range 7a 6. a narrow strip serving chiefly as decoration: as a. a narrow strip of material applied as trimming to an article of dress b. plural a pair of strips hanging at the front of the neck as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress c. a ring without raised portions 7. track 1e(2) II. verb Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to affix a band to or tie up with a band 2. to finish or decorate with a band 3. to gather together ; unite <

banded themselves together for protection

> intransitive verb to unite for a common purpose — often used with together <

have banded together in hopes of attacking the blight that is common to them all — J. B. Conant

> • bander noun III. noun Etymology: Middle French bande troop, from Old Occitan banda, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic bandwo sign, standard — more at banner Date: 15th century a group of persons, animals, or things; especially a group of musicians organized for ensemble playing