[f. BIND v. + -ING1.]
I. Abstract.
1. The action of the vb. BIND in various senses.
a. 1240. Lofsong, in Lamb. Hom., 207. Ich bede þe … bi his nimunge . and bindunge.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 36. Byndynge, ligacio.
1517. in Glasscock, Rec. St. Michael’s, Stortford, 35. Pd. for flower and woode for the bynding of the books, ijd.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Sacrifice, xii. I suffer binding, who have loos’d their bands.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., xvii. § 25. 324. What binding and loosing, or remitting and retaining of sinnes, is, admits of some scruple.
1706. Phillips, etc., Binding (in Falconry) signifies tiring or when a hawk seizes [cf. BIND v. 9 c].
1832. C. Howard, Sel. Farms, 8. By … large sheaves, and tight binding.
1881. Greener, Gun, 257. The wood screws … are always soaped before turned in, to prevent their binding in the wood.
b. Engagement for service, or as an apprentice.
1834. Penny Cycl., II. 194/1. The binding is to a carpenter for six years.
1858. Lond. Rev., Oct., 42. At the annual bindings [for service].
2. The state or condition of being bound (in various senses of the vb.).
c. 1380. Wyclif, De Dot. Eccl., Sel. Wks. III. 431. Byndyng to siche signes lettiþ fredom of Crist.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vii. 115. In case of binding they are best to be eaten before meate.
1632. Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 83. What think ye to take binding with the fair Corner-stone, Jesus?
† 3. A quantity bound up; a bundle, bunch. Obs.
1388. Wyclif, 1 Sam. xxx. 12. Twei byndyngis [Vulg. ligatura] of dried grapis.
II. Concrete.
4. That with which anything is bound; a bond, band, bandage; a fastening.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter cxxiv. [cxxv]. 5. Heldand in bindinges Laverd lede sal.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. xlv. (1495), 629. The lame cucurbita … byndyth it self wyth certen fastnynges and byndynges as a vyne dooth.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 379. The same bindings being again bound upon the wound … infect it.
1611. Bible, Dan. v. 6. The ioints [marg. bindings or knots] of his loines were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
5. spec. a. The strong covering of a book, which holds the sheets together, and protects the volume.
1647. Crashaw, Steps Temp., 61. A little volume, but great book … the rest of a rich binding.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 80, ¶ 1. Provided always, that the Binding be of Calves-Skin.
1787. Burns, Book Worm, i. Spare the golden bindings.
1854. N. & Q., IX. 423. Receipt for varnishing the binding of old books.
b. A protective covering for the raw edges of a fabric; the braid or other material of this.
1598. Florio, Cordicella, a little cord … an inkle, a binding.
1747. Gentl. Mag., XVII. 284. The boys and girls hats are white, and tied round with red binding.
1885. Price List, Bindings … Silk, 2d. per yard.
c. Arch. & Shipbuilding. A band of masonry and brickwork; a connecting timber, etc.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Seamen, 10. Plankes, bindings, knees, boults.
1730. A. Gordon, Maffei’s Amphit., 223. The three Fasciæ or Bindings, which serve as a Parapet.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 97. Bindings, the iron links which surround the Dead-Eyes.
1884. Congregational Year Bk., 401. The ceiling of roof over the nave is … divided by arched bindings.
8. Attrib. and Comb., as binding shrub, binding factory; binding-cloth, fancy cloth (usually dyed and stamped muslin) for covering books; binding-guide, a contrivance fitted to sewing-machines for adjusting the binding to the material to be bound; † binding-Tuesday, the Tuesday in Hocktide, the second Tuesday after Easter. (See also the ppl. adj.)
1791. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Retama, a kinde of binding shrubbe or broome, Genista.
1664. Spelman, Gloss., s.v. Hocday, Alii in hac celebritate alios obsident, capiunt, ligant (præsertim viros fœminæ) atque inde, binding Tuesday, i. Diem Martis ligatoriam appellant.
1845. Strutt, Sports & Past., IV. iii. 350 [tr. Spelman].
