Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

bound2

Pronunciation: /baʊnd/
Translate bound | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of bound

noun

(often bounds)
  • a territorial limit; a boundary:the ancient bounds of the forest
  • a limitation or restriction on feeling or action:it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the issue could arise again enthusiasm to join the union knew no bounds
  • technical a limiting value: an upper bound on each modulus

verb

[with object]
  • form the boundary of; enclose:the ground was bounded by a main road on one side and a meadow on the other
  • place within certain limits; restrict:freedom of action is bounded by law

Phrases

in bounds

inside the part of a sports field or court in which play is conducted.

out of bounds

  • 1outside the part of a sports field or court in which play is conducted: he hit his third shot out of bounds at the 17th
  • 2outside the limits of where one is permitted to be:his kitchen was out of bounds to me at mealtimes
  • beyond what is acceptable:Paul felt that this conversation was getting out of bounds

Origin:

Middle English (in the senses 'landmark' and 'borderland'): from Old French bodne, from medieval Latin bodina, earlier butina, of unknown ultimate origin

bound in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of bound in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

Word of the day

ludology

/ luːˈdɒlədʒi /
noun
the study of games and gaming, especially video games …