bond English · revision 4302

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /bɒnd/, US /bɑːnd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a Middle English variant of [[band]] “something that binds”, at first interchangeable with it,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) and influenced by the unrelated bond “serf, tenant farmer”, from Old English bōnda “householder”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It keeps more clearly than band the link with [[bind]] and [[bound]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) and is now the main or only form for a restraining or uniting force.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Anything that binds, fastens or confines: probably about 1200 in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) the early 13th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) about 1250 in the OED, of fetters.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Confinement or imprisonment is from before 1225, later only in the plural, as ''in bonds''.^(OED 1989) Any circumstance that takes away freedom of action is from about 1250.^(OED 1989) A binding agreement or covenant is from the early 14th century,^(Etymonline) as early as 1303 in Mannyng's Handlyng Synne, of a marriage contract,^(Barnhart 1988) and a uniting power or influence from the late 14th.^(Etymonline) A deed binding a person to pay a sum is from the 1590s,^(Etymonline) the 16th century in Hoad,^(Hoad 1986) and a debenture or government security from the 17th century.^(Hoad 1986) The laying of bricks in overlapping courses is from the 1670s,^(Etymonline) and in chemistry the link between atoms from 1900.^(Etymonline) The verb, to put in bond, is from the 1670s;^(Etymonline) “to hold together” is from 1836,^(Etymonline) and of people forming a close relationship from 1969.^(Etymonline) In northern English coalfields a bond was an agreement binding miners to work for an employer on stated terms, now obsolete.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – a binding, fetter.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * a. 1225 – imprisonment.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1303 – a binding agreement.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – a uniting force.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590s – a deed to pay money.^(Etymonline)

+ * 17th century – a debenture.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1670s – a bond of bricks; verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1900 – a chemical bond.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1969 – verb, of people.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something that binds, ties or fastens, such as a cord or [[fetter]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A uniting force or [[tie]]: ''the bond of friendship''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A binding agreement; a [[covenant]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A certificate of debt issued by a government or company, promising repayment with interest.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Money paid as a guarantee, as for the release of an accused person; bail.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(chemistry)'' A force that holds atoms together in a molecule.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A pattern of laying bricks so that they overlap.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' ''bonds'': confinement; captivity.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To join securely, as with glue.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To form a close relationship: ''the mother bonded with her baby''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To place under bond, or furnish a bond for.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bondable]]

+ * [[bonder]]

+ * [[bondless]]

+ * [[bondsman]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[band]]

+ * [[bind]]

+ * [[bound]]

+ * [[bundle]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The archaic adjective bond, “in slavery”, as in bondman and bondwoman, is a different word, from Middle English bonde “serf”, from Old English bōnda, from Old Norse bóndi “householder”.^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) In South Africa a Bond was also an Afrikaner league, from Afrikaans.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}