Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - bond

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English band, ~ — more at band  Date: 12th century  1. something that binds or restrains ; fetter  2. a binding agreement ; covenant  3.  a. a band or cord used to tie something  b. a material or device for binding  c. an attractive force that holds together the atoms, ions, or groups of atoms in a molecule or crystal  d. an adhesive, cementing material, or fusible ingredient that combines, unites, or strengthens  4. a uniting or binding element or force ; tie the ~s of friendship  5.  a. an obligation made binding by a money forfeit; also the amount of the money guarantee  b. one who acts as bail or surety  c. an interest-bearing certificate of public or private indebtedness  d. an insurance agreement pledging surety for financial loss caused to another by the act or default of a third person or by some contingency over which the third person may have no control  6. the systematic lapping of brick in a wall  7. the state of goods made, stored, or transported under the care of ~ed agencies until the duties or taxes on them are paid  8. a 100-proof straight whiskey aged at least four years under government supervision before being bottled — called also ~ed whiskey  9. ~ paper  II. verb  Date: 1677  transitive verb  1. to lap (as brick) for solidity of construction  2.  a. to secure payment of duties and taxes on (goods) by giving a ~  b. to convert into a debt secured by ~s  c. to provide a ~ for or cause to provide such a ~ ~ an employee  3.  a. to cause to adhere firmly  b. to embed in a matrix  c. to hold together in a molecule or crystal by chemical ~s  intransitive verb  1. to hold together or solidify by or as if by means of a ~ or binder  2. to form a close relationship especially through frequent association the new mother ~ed with her child  • ~able adjective  • ~er noun  III. adjective  Etymology: Middle English ~e, from ~e customary tenant, from Old English bonda householder, from Old Norse bondi  Date: 14th century archaic bound in slavery