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bond·age

(bŏndĭj)

1. The state of one who is bound as a slave or serf.

2. A state of subjection to a force, power, or influence.

3. The practice of being physically restrained, as with cords or handcuffs, as a means of attaining sexual gratification.

4. Villeinage.

[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, from Middle English bonde, serf, from Old English bōnda, husbandman, from Old Norse bōndi, present participle of būa, to live; see bheuə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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