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The marking of the clothes with stripes or horizontal bands. [Obs.] Chaucer.

A solemn rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy water, and formally dedicated to God.

The common yellow-flowered avens of Europe (Geum urbanum); herb bennet. The name is sometimes given to other plants, as the hemlock, valerian, etc.

See Banshee.

A ledge at the bottom of a bank or cutting, to catch earth that may roll down the slope, or to strengthen the bank.

To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise of marriage) and then abandon.

A decoration of a flat surface, as of a band or belt, representing circular disks lapping one upon another.

To proclaim; to declare publicly; to make known. [Mostly obs.] "Our banns thrice bid !" Gay.

rer for goods or money. -- Bill of divorce, in the Jewish law, a writing given by the husband to the wife, by which the marriage relation was dissolved. Jer. iii. 8. -- Bill of entry, a written account of goods entered at the customhouse, whether imported or intended for exportation. -- Bill of exceptions. See under…

To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter; to make fast; as, to bind grain in bundles; to bind a prisoner.

Anything that binds, as a fillet, cord, rope, or band; a bandage; -- esp. the principal piece of timber intended to bind together any building.

Anything that binds; a bandage; the cover of a book, or the cover with the sewing, etc.; something that secures the edge of cloth from raveling.

An ancient galley or vessel with two banks or tiers of oars.

A law made by husbandmen respecting rural affairs; a rustic or local law or by-law. [Written also byrlaw, birlie, birley.]

rized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col. iii. 19.

en driven into Tonkin by the suppression of the Taiping rebellion, but later increased by bands of pirates and adventurers. It took a prominent part in fighting the French during their hostilities with Anam, 1873-85.

To cover the eyes of, as with a bandage; to hinder from seeing. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face. Luke xxii. 64.

Having the hair matted with clotted blood. [Obs. & R.] The blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me. Shak.

Other varieties of dog are often used for the same purpose and go by the same name. The Cuban bloodhound is said to be a variety of the mastiff.

To cause to blossom; to put forth (blossoms or flowers). The odorous banks, that blow Flowers of more mingled hue. Milton.