Bandage

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈbændɪd͡ʒ/

Definitions

1. A strip of fabric used to cover and protect wounds or injuries ; to wrap a wound or injury with such a strip for protection or healing
2. A piece of cloth applied around an injury to shield and support it ; to encircle a part of the body with fabric to aid recovery or prevent infection
3. A dressing made of cloth to cover cuts or sores and keep them clean ; to secure this covering around an injured area by wrapping it

Etymology: The English noun "bandage" was borrowed from French "bandage," a derivative of "bande," meaning strip or band. The French word itself grew from the same root as the English "band," so a bandage is, at its heart, simply a strip of cloth. The French suffix "-age" turns a noun into a word for a collection or act, which gives "bandage" the sense of material made up of bands. English already had a native word for this idea. Old English "þwǣle" meant strip, ribbon, or bandage, but it did not survive, and the French borrowing took its place. The modern verb sense, to bind a wound with such a strip, follows naturally from the noun.

Synonyms: dressing, wrap, girdle, strap, binding