Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TIE, or TYE, v.t. [Sax. tian, for tigan, to bind; tig, tige, a tie, a purse. The primary sense is to strain, and hence its alliance to tug, to draw, Sw. tiga, L. taceo, to be silent. The Gr. δεω may be the same word. On account of the participle tying, it might be well to write the verb tye.]

1. To bind; to fasten with a band or cord and knot. My son, keep thy father's commandments – bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. Prov. vi.
2. To fold and make fast; as, to tie a knot.
3. To knit; to complicate. We do not tie this knot with an intention to puzzle the argument. Burnet.
4. To fasten; to hold; to unite so as not to be easily parted. In bond of virtuous love together tied. Fairfax.
5. To oblige; to constrain; to restrain; to confine. People in their jealousy, may tie the hands of their ministers and public agents, so as to prevent them from doing good. Not tied to rules of policy, you find / Revenge less sweet than a forgiving mind. Dryden.
6. In music, to unite notes by a cross line, or by a curve line drawn over them. To tie up, to confine; to restrain; to hinder from motion or action; as, to tie up the tongue; to tie up the hands. Addison. To tie down, to fasten so as to prevent from rising. #2. To restrain; to confine; to hinder from action.