bind
Fasten with rope
The core meaning of bind, primarily a verb, is to secure by tying: Bind his hands with cord.
The idea of securing so as to be integrated or connected extends to other meanings of bind, as in the binding of books, of molecules to receptors, or of parties to an agreement.
If you are in a bind, you’re in a situation in which there are few or no desirable choices.
Tied rope fastening
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- laceOpen-weave ornamental fabric
- fastenFix securely in position
- secureProtected from harm
loop · buckle · latch · splice · twist · anchor · thread · ribbon
Metal bonds for prisoners
- handcuffsLocking wrist restraints
- manaclesWrist shackles for prisoners
- chainsLinked metal restraints
- fettersAnkle restraints, often metal
straitjacket · leash · muzzle · cuffs · tether · bonds · rope · cord
Required moral task
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- covenantBinding formal pledge
oath · pledge · promise · vow · liability · allegiance · fealty · mandate
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
- hindranceBarrier to progress
stricture · confine · prohibition · curtailment · encumbrance · handicap · barrier · bottleneck
Point of connection
- interfaceShared connection point
- junctionPoint where things meet
- nodeConnection point in networks
- spliceJoin end to end
coupler · bridge · interconnect · attach · join · fuse · weld · affix
Column of vertebrae
leather · cloth · hardcover · paperback · signature · codex · folio · perfect
Obligatory weakening move situation
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- pinPointed metal fastener
- skewerPointed cooking rod
- tempoRate of musical performance
initiative · positional · pressure · restriction · trap · cramp · constrict
knot
Tied rope fastening
secure · loop · buckle · latch · splice · twist · anchor · thread · ribbon · twine
shackles
Metal bonds for prisoners
fetters · straitjacket · leash · muzzle · cuffs · tether · bonds · rope · cord · strap
duty
Required moral task
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- contractEnforceable written agreement
covenant · oath · pledge · promise · vow · liability · allegiance · fealty · mandate · requirement
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- restrictionLimit on action
- inhibitionMental check on behavior
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
hindrance · stricture · confine · prohibition · curtailment · encumbrance · handicap · barrier · bottleneck · cap
link
Point of connection
splice · coupler · bridge · interconnect · attach · join · fuse · weld · affix · adhere
spine
Column of vertebrae
glue · leather · cloth · hardcover · paperback · signature · codex · folio · perfect · saddle
zugzwang
Obligatory weakening move situation
tempo · initiative · positional · pressure · restriction · trap · cramp · constrict
- confinementcell, cage, prison, jail, imprisonment
- restrainhold back, suppress, hold in, keep in, keep down
- tight spotstight spot, corner, trapped, stuck, boxed in
- tighten upfasten, secure, lock, clamp, bolt
- rugbyscrum, try, rugby, Rugby World Cup, rugby union
- tie-upsknot, fastening, hitch, gridlock, traffic jam
- in a bindTrapped in difficulty
- binder clipSpring-loaded paper fastener
- legally bindingEnforceable under the law
- ring binderHinged-loop paper organizer
- three-ring binderHinged cover with metal loops
- three ring binder
binder, binding, unbind, binds, binders, bindings, unbinding, bookbinding, bindweed