Bounden
/ˈbaʊn.dən/noun
Obligated or duty-bound, often used in the phrase “bounden duty.”
Did you know?“Bounden” preserves an older past-participle form of “bind,” making moral obligation sound like a physical binding spell.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰendʰ-
“To tie, bind, or fasten; the reconstructed root behind several Germanic words for bonds.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*bundanaz
“Bound or tied; the past participle of the verb meaning “to bind.””
Old English
OE
bunden
“Bound or tied; the past participle of bindan, “to bind.””
Middle English
ME
bounden
“Bound, obligated, or required by duty; the ending was retained in some formal expressions.”
Modern English
English
bounden
“Obligated or duty-bound, chiefly in formal or literary usage.”