Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BAND, n. [Sax. banda; Sw. band; Dan. baand; D. band; G. band, binde; Sp. banda, venda; Port. It. banda; Ir. banna; Pers. بَنْد band; Sans. bande, bunda; Fr. bande. See Bind and Bend.]

1. A fillet: a cord; a tie; a chain; any narrow ligament with which a thing is bound, tied or fastened, or by which a number of things are confined together.
2. In architecture, any flat low member or molding, broad but not deep, called also fascia, face or plinth. – Johnson. Encyc.
3. Figuratively, any chain; any means of restraint; that which draws or confines. – Dryden.
4. Means of union or connection between persons; as, Hymen's bands. – Shak.
5. Any thing bound round or encircling another. – Bacon.
6. Something worn about the neck; as the bands of clergymen. – Addison.
7. A company of soldiers; the body of men united under one flag or ensign. Also, indefinitely, a troop, a body of armed men. – 2 Kings vi.
8. A company of persons united in any common design; as, a band of brothers.
9. A slip of canvas, sewed across a sail to strengthen it. – Mar. Dict. The band of pensioners in England, is a company of 120 gentlemen, who receive a yearly allowance of £100 st. for attending the king on solemn occasions. – Encyc. The bands of a saddle are two pieces of iron nailed upon the bows, to hold them in their proper situation. – Johnson.