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bind·ing (bīndĭng)
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n.
1. The action of one that binds: glue for the binding of pieces of plastic pipe.
2. Something that binds or is used as a binder.
3.
a. The manner in which the pages of a book are joined and held together: Is the binding of that book stitched or glued?
b. The material that holds the pages of a book together, especially the cover: a book with a leather binding.
4. A strip of fabric or tape sewn or attached over or along an edge for protection, reinforcement, or ornamentation.
5. Sports The fastening on a ski or board for securing the boot, often releasing automatically to prevent injury.
adj.
1. Serving to bind: a binding protein.
2. Uncomfortably tight and confining.
3. Tending to cause constipation: foods that are binding.
4. Imposing or commanding adherence to a commitment, an obligation, or a duty: binding arbitration; a binding agreement.
binding·ly adv.
binding·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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