a thin, flat strip of some material for binding, confining, trimming, protecting, etc.: a band on each bunch of watercress.
2.
a fillet, belt, or strap: a band for the hair; a band for connecting pulleys.
3.
a stripe, as of color or decorative work.
4.
a strip of paper or other material serving as a label: a cigar band.
5.
a plain or simply styled ring, without mounted gems or the like: a thin gold band on his finger.
6.
(on a long-playing phonograph record) one of a set of grooves in which sound has been recorded, separated from an adjacent set or sets by grooves without recorded sound.
A thin strip of flexible material used to encircle and bind one object or to hold a number of objects together: a metal band around the bale of cotton.
A strip or stripe that contrasts with something else in color, texture, or material.
A narrow strip of fabric used to trim, finish, or reinforce articles of clothing.
Something that constrains or binds morally or legally: the bands of marriage and family.
A simple ungrooved ring, especially a wedding ring.
A neckband or collar.
bands The two strips hanging from the front of a collar as part of the dress of certain clerics, scholars, and lawyers.
A high collar popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Biology A chromatically, structurally, or functionally differentiated strip or stripe in or on an organism.
Anatomy A cordlike tissue that connects or holds structures together.
A specific range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
A range of very closely spaced electron energy levels in solids, the distribution and nature of which determine the electrical properties of a material.
Biology A chromatically, structurally, or functionally differentiated strip or stripe in or on an organism.
Anatomy A cordlike tissue that connects or holds structures together.
A specific range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
A range of very closely spaced electron energy levels in solids, the distribution and nature of which determine the electrical properties of a material.
Physics
A specific range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
A range of very closely spaced electron energy levels in solids, the distribution and nature of which determine the electrical properties of a material.
Any of the distinct grooves on a long-playing phonograph record that contains an individual selection or a separate section of a whole.
A cord or strip across the back of a book to which the sheets or quires are attached.
tr.v.
band·ed, band·ing, bands
To tie, bind, or encircle with or as if with a band.
To mark or identify with or as if with a band: a program to band migrating birds.
[Middle English bende (from Old English bend and from Old French bande, bende, of Germanic origin) and Middle English bond, band (from Old Norse, band); see bhendh- in Indo-European roots.]
Anthropology A unit of social organization especially among hunter-gatherers, consisting of a usually small number of families living together cooperatively.
Canadian An aboriginal group officially recognized as an organized unit by the Canadian government. See Usage Note at First Nation.
Anthropology A unit of social organization especially among hunter-gatherers, consisting of a usually small number of families living together cooperatively.
Canadian An aboriginal group officially recognized as an organized unit by the Canadian government. See Usage Note at First Nation.
A group of musicians who perform as an ensemble.
v.
band·ed, band·ing, bands
v.
tr.
To assemble or unite in a group.
v.
intr.
To form a group; unite: banded together for protection.
[Earlier bande, from Old French, banner, troop identified by its standard, of Germanic origin.]
Synonyms: These nouns denote a group of individuals acting together for a common purpose: a band of thieves; a company of scientists; a corps of drummers; a party of tourists; a troop of students on a field trip; a troupe of actors.
"a flat strip," also "something that binds," represents a merger of two words, ultimately from the same source. In the sense "that by which someone or something is bound," it is attested from 1126, from O.N. band "thin strip that ties or constrains," from P.Gmc. *bindan (related to Mod.Eng. bend and bind), from PIE *bendh- "to bind" (cf. Goth bandi "that which binds; Skt. bandhah "a tying, bandage," source of bandana; M.Ir. bainna "bracelet"). Most of the fig. senses of this word have passed into bond (q.v.), which originally was a phonetic variant of band. The meaning "a flat strip" (c.1394) is from O.Fr. bande "strip, edge, side," via O.N.Fr. bende, from O.H.G. binda, from P.Gmc. *bindan (see above). In M.E., this was distinguished by the spelling bande, but since the loss of the final -e- the words have fully merged. Meaning "broad stripe of color" is from 1470; the electronics sense of "range of frequencies or wavelengths" is from 1922. The O.N.Fr. form was retained in heraldic bend.
"an organized group," 1490, from M.Fr. bande, from O.Fr. bande, traceable to P.Gmc. root of band (1), probably via a band of cloth worn as a mark of identification by a group of soldiers or others (cf. Gothic bandwa "a sign"). The extension to "group of musicians" is c.1660, originally musicians attached to a regiment of the army. To beat the band (1897) is to make enough noise to drown it out, hence to exceed everything.
an unofficial association of people or groups; "the smart set goes there"; "they were an angry lot" [syn: set]
2.
instrumentalists not including string players
3.
a stripe or stripes of contrasting color; "chromosomes exhibit characteristic bands"; "the black and yellow banding of bees and wasps"
4.
an adornment consisting of a strip of a contrasting color or material
5.
a group of musicians playing popular music for dancing [syn: dance band]
6.
a range of frequencies between two limits
7.
a thin flat strip of flexible material that is worn around the body or one of the limbs (especially to decorate the body)
8.
a cord-like tissue connecting two larger parts of an anatomical structure [syn: isthmus]
9.
jewelry consisting of a circlet of precious metal (often set with jewels) worn on the finger; "she had rings on every finger"; "he noted that she wore a wedding band" [syn: ring]
10.
a driving belt in machinery
11.
a thin flat strip or loop of flexible material that goes around or over something else, typically to hold it together or as a decoration
12.
a strip of material attached to the leg of a bird to identify it (as in studies of bird migration)
13.
a restraint put around something to hold it together
verb
1.
bind or tie together, as with a band
2.
attach a ring to the foot of, in order to identify; "ring birds"; "band the geese to observe their migratory patterns" [syn: ring]
Band\ (b[a^]nd), n. [OE. band, bond, Icel. band; akin to G., Sw., & D. band, OHG. bant, Goth. banti, Skr. bandha a binding, bandh to bind, for bhanda, bhandh, also to E. bend, bind. In sense 7, at least, it is fr. F. bande, from OHG. bant. [root]90 See Bind, v. t., and cf. Bend, Bond, 1st Bandy.]1. A fillet, strap, or any narrow ligament with which a thing is encircled, or fastened, or by which a number of things are tied, bound together, or confined; a fetter. Every one's bands were loosed. --Acts xvi. 26. 2. (Arch.) (a) A continuous tablet, stripe, or series of ornaments, as of carved foliage, of color, or of brickwork, etc. (b) In Gothic architecture, the molding, or suite of moldings, which encircles the pillars and small shafts. 3. That which serves as the means of union or connection between persons; a tie. "To join in Hymen's bands." --Shak. 4. A linen collar or ruff worn in the 16th and 17th centuries. 5. pl. Two strips of linen hanging from the neck in front as part of a clerical, legal, or academic dress. 6. A narrow strip of cloth or other material on any article of dress, to bind, strengthen, ornament, or complete it. "Band and gusset and seam." --Hood. 7. A company of persons united in any common design, especially a body of armed men. Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. --Shak. 8. A number of musicians who play together upon portable musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound, as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.), and drums, or cymbals. 9. (Bot.) A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the fruits of umbelliferous plants. 10. (Zo["o]l.) A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to the axis of the body. 11. (Mech.) A belt or strap. 12. A bond [Obs.] "Thy oath and band." --Shak. 13. Pledge; security. [Obs.] --Spenser. Band saw, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with teeth on one edge, running over wheels.
Band\ (b[a^]nd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Banded; p. pr. & vb. n. Banding.]1. To bind or tie with a band. 2. To mark with a band. 3. To unite in a troop, company, or confederacy. "Banded against his throne." --Milton. Banded architrave, pier, shaft, etc. (Arch.), an architrave, pier, etc., of which the regular profile is interrupted by blocks or projections crossing it at right angles.
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