Band (bănd), n. [OE. band,
bond, Icel. band; akin to G., Sw., & D. band, OHG.
bant, Goth. bandi, 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. √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. (Zoöl.) 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.