The phrase "bind oneself" is spelled with the IPA transcription /baɪnd wʌnself/. "Bind" is pronounced with the long "i" sound and the "d" is voiced. "Oneself" is pronounced with a long "o" sound, with stress on the first syllable, and the "f" is voiced. The verb "bind" means to tie or fasten something securely, and "oneself" means to commit oneself to a course of action or decision. Together, the phrase "bind oneself" means to make a promise or commitment to something.
To "bind oneself" refers to the act of committing or obligating oneself to a particular course of action or decision. It implies making a conscious and intentional commitment, often through a formal or informal agreement, contract, or promise. This commitment may be mutual between two or more parties or can solely pertain to an individual's personal commitment to oneself.
When one binds oneself, it entails assuming responsibility for adhering to the terms or conditions laid out in the agreement or commitment. It denotes a sense of obligation and duty towards fulfilling or maintaining the agreed-upon terms and not deviating from them unless mutually agreed upon or under exceptional circumstances.
The act of binding oneself can occur in various contexts such as contractual agreements, legal arrangements, moral or ethical obligations, and personal commitments. Examples of binding oneself can include signing a contract to abide by certain terms and conditions, making a promise to a friend to keep a secret, or taking an oath to uphold certain responsibilities or principles.
In summary, to "bind oneself" involves voluntarily committing or obligating oneself, either individually or between parties, to a specific agreement, arrangement, or set of principles. It implies assuming the duty and responsibility to fulfill and abide by the agreed-upon terms or conditions.
The etymology of the phrase "bind oneself" can be traced back to Old English and its Germanic roots.
1. "Bind": The word "bind" comes from the Old English word "bindan" which means "to tie or fasten". This word is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "bindanan", related to the Old High German "bintan" and Dutch "binden".
2. "Oneself": The word "oneself" is a reflexive pronoun derived from the pronoun "one", which is a general, impersonal pronoun referring to a nonspecific person. "Oneself" came into use during the Middle English period and was originally written as "one’s self" or "one self", indicating possession by "one". Over time, it transformed into the modern form "oneself".