band

band

band¹ [band]

n.

[ME < ON band (akin to OE bend); also (in meaning “thin strip”) < Fr bande, flat strip < OFr bende < ML benda < Goth binda < bindan,BIND]

1. something that binds, ties together, restrains, etc.

2.

a) a strip or ring of wood, metal, rubber, etc. fastened around something, as to bind or tie it together

b) a finger ring [a wedding band]

3. a contrasting strip or stripe running across or along the edge of a material, or separating different sorts of material

4. a narrow strip of cloth used to bind, line, decorate, etc.; binding; banding [hatband, neckband]

5. [usually pl.] two strips hanging in front from the neck, as part of certain academic, legal, or clerical dress

6. a belt to drive wheels or pulleys in machinery

7. any of the separate divisions on a phonograph record containing individual selections

8.

a) a specific range of wavelengths or frequencies, as in radio broadcasting or sound or light transmission

b) any of the stripes of color in a spectrum

9. Archit. a thin layer or molding

10. Geol. a thin layer of distinctive rock, ore, etc.

vt.

[OFr bander < the n.]

1. to put a band on or around; tie with a band

☆ 2. to mark with a band for identification [to band migratory birds]

band² [band]

n.

[LME bande < MFr < OFr < OProv < Goth bandwa, a sign < ?]

1. a group of people joined together for a common purpose

2. a group of musicians playing together, esp. upon wind and percussion instruments [a dance band]

vi., vt.

to gather or unite for a common purpose: usually with together

SYN.- TROOP