| • | 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. |
| • | 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. |
| • | To bring (any one) under definite legal obligations; esp. under the obligation of a bond or covenant. |
| • | To place under legal obligation to serve; to indenture; as, to bind an apprentice; -- sometimes with out; as, bound out to service. |
| • | To tie; to confine by any ligature. |
| • | 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. |
| • | That which binds or ties. |
| • | Any twining or climbing plant or stem, esp. a hop vine; a bine. |
| • | Indurated clay, when much mixed with the oxide of iron. |
| • | A ligature or tie for grouping notes. |
LA Times Crossword Answers