banding

band ¹  (bnd)

n.

1. A thin strip of flexible material used to encircle and bind one object or to hold a number of objects together: a metal band around the bale of cotton.

2. A strip or stripe that contrasts with something else in color, texture, or material.

3. A narrow strip of fabric used to trim, finish, or reinforce articles of clothing.

4. Something that constrains or binds morally or legally: the bands of marriage and family.

5. A simple ungrooved ring, especially a wedding ring.

6.

a. A neckband or collar.

b. bands The two strips hanging from the front of a collar as part of the dress of certain clerics, scholars, and lawyers.

c. A high collar popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.

7.

a. Biology A chromatically, structurally, or functionally differentiated strip or stripe in or on an organism.

b. Anatomy A cordlike tissue that connects or holds structures together.

8. Physics

a. A specific range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.

b. A range of very closely spaced electron energy levels in solids, the distribution and nature of which determine the electrical properties of a material.

9. Any of the distinct grooves on a long-playing phonograph record that contains an individual selection or a separate section of a whole.

10. A cord or strip across the back of a book to which the sheets or quires are attached.

tr.v. band·ed, band·ing, bands

1. To tie, bind, or encircle with or as if with a band.

2. To mark or identify with or as if with a band: a program to band migrating birds.

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[Middle English bende (from Old English bend and from Old French bande, bende, of Germanic origin) and Middle English bond, band (from Old Norse, band); see bhendh- in Indo-European roots.]

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band ²  (bnd)

n.

1.

a. A group of people: a band of outlaws.

b. A group of animals.

2.

a. Anthropology A unit of social organization especially among hunter-gatherers, consisting of a usually small number of families living together cooperatively.

b. Canadian An aboriginal group officially recognized as an organized unit by the Canadian government. See Usage Note at First Nation.

3. A group of musicians who perform as an ensemble.

v. band·ed, band·ing, bands

v.tr.

To assemble or unite in a group.

v.intr.

To form a group; unite: banded together for protection.

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[Earlier bande, from Old French, banner, troop identified by its standard, of Germanic origin.]

Synonyms: band², company, corps, party, troop, troupe
These nouns denote a group of individuals acting together for a common purpose: a band of thieves; a company of scientists; a corps of drummers; a party of tourists; a troop of students on a field trip; a troupe of actors.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	banding - a stripe or stripes of contrasting color; "chromosomes exhibit characteristic bands"; "the black and yellow banding of bees and wasps" stria, striation, band collar - (zoology) an encircling band or marking around the neck of any animal stretch mark - a narrow band resulting from tension on the skin (as on abdominal skin after pregnancy) streak, stripe, bar - a narrow marking of a different color or texture from the background; "a green toad with small black stripes or bars"; "may the Stars and Stripes forever wave"
	2.	banding - an adornment consisting of a strip of a contrasting color or material stripe, band adornment - a decoration of color or interest that is added to relieve plainness cigar band - a narrow paper band around a cigar garment - an article of clothing; "garments of the finest silk" hatband - a band around the crown of a hat just above the brim neckband - a band around the collar of a garment pinstripe - a very thin stripe (especially a white stripe on a dark fabric)