[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That binds together or up; causing or tending to cohere; astringent, styptic.
1382. Wyclif, Dan. iii. 69. Byndynge frost and colde, blesse ȝe to the Lord.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VII. lxix. (1495), 289. Byndyng medycynes … as … Acacia.
1606. B. Jonson, Hymenæi. We see The binding force of Vnitie.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countr. Farm, 539. As for the mixt soyles, if they be binding, as the clayes.
1824. Loudon, Cycl. Garden., § 1958. Choosing the best coloured good binding gravel.
2. fig. Obligatory, restrictive, coercive.
1611. Bible, Num. xxx. 13. Euery binding othe to afflict the soule.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., II. IX. 224. No promise made to an heretic is binding.
1859. Mill, Liberty, iv. Laws of conduct binding on ourselves and on all others.
3. Comb. (some of them perh. from the vbl. sb.), as binding-joist, a joist resting on the wall-plates and carrying other joists; † binding-note, a bind or tie in musical notation; binding-plate, one of a series of iron plates used to strengthen or arm a puddling-furnace; binding-rafter, a longitudinal timber lying upon the principals of a roof and enabling them to support the covering; binding-screw, a screw used in various instruments for purposes of clamping or adjustment.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 132. The *binding Joysts marked cc.
1879. Sir G. Scott, Lect. Archit., I. 266. The beams and *binding-joists are shown.
1782. Burney, Hist. Mus., II. 454. Semicircular marks, called *binding-notes, and slurs.
1875. Ure, Dict. Arts, II. 997. Bolted upon both sides to the cast-iron *binding plates of the furnace.
1842. Gwilt, Archit., Gloss., *Binding Rafters, The same as Purlins.
c. 1865. J. Wylde, in Circ. Sc., I. 258/1. From these springs the two wires proceed, ended by *binding-screws.
