bandage

/ˈbændɪdʒ/

/ˈbændɪdʒ/

Other forms: bandages; bandaged; bandaging

A bandage is a piece of tape or cloth that's used to slow the flow of blood from a cut or another wound. Any good first aid kit is equipped with plenty of bandages.

A bandage can vary from being a tiny plastic strip you stick on the spot where your cat scratched you to a thick, wide cloth that's applied to a serious injury at a hospital. You can also use it as a verb: "If I were you, I'd bandage that skinned knee so it doesn't get dirty." Bandage is a Middle French word, from the Old French bander, "to bind," and ultimately bande, "a strip."

Definitions of bandage

1. noun

   a piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body
   synonyms: patch

   types:

   adhesive bandage

   bandage consisting of a medical dressing of plain absorbent gauze held in place by a plastic or fabric tape coated with adhesive

   capeline bandage

   bandage that covers the head or an amputation stump like a cap

   cast, plaster bandage, plaster cast

   bandage consisting of a firm covering (often made of plaster of Paris) that immobilizes broken bones while they heal

   compression bandage, tourniquet

   bandage that stops the flow of blood from an artery by applying pressure

   elastic bandage

   a bandage containing stretchable material that can apply local pressure

   four-tailed bandage

   a bandage consisting of a strip of cloth split in two on both ends; the central part is placed under the chin to restrict motion of the mandible and the tails are tied over the top of the head

   immovable bandage

   a bandage of cloth impregnated with a substance (e.g., plaster of Paris) that hardens soon after it is applied

   oblique bandage

   a bandage in which successive turns proceed obliquely up or down a limb

   roller bandage

   bandage consisting of a strip of sterile fabric (of variable width) rolled into a cylinder to facilitate application

   scarf bandage, sling, triangular bandage

   bandage to support an injured forearm; consisting of a wide triangular piece of cloth hanging from around the neck

   suspensory, suspensory bandage

   a bandage of elastic fabric applied to uplift a dependant part (as the scrotum or a pendulous breast)

   swathe, wrapping

   an enveloping bandage

   truss

   (medicine) a bandage consisting of a pad and belt; worn to hold a hernia in place by pressure

   Band Aid

   trade name for an adhesive bandage to cover small cuts or blisters

   Elastoplast

   an elastic adhesive bandage for covering cuts or wounds

   spiral bandage

   an oblique bandage in which successive turns overlap preceding turns

   type of:

   dressing, medical dressing

   a cloth covering for a wound or sore
2. verb

   dress by covering or binding
   “The nurse bandaged a sprained ankle”

   “bandage an incision”

   types:

   ligate

   bind with a bandage or ligature

   type of:

   dress

   apply a bandage or medication to
3. verb

   wrap around with something so as to cover or enclose
   synonyms: bind

   type of:

   fasten, fix, secure

   cause to be firmly attached