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Bandage Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bandage

[หˆbรฆndษชdส’ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical

A strip of material such as gauze used to protect, immobilize, compress, or support a wound or injured body part.

Synonyms

compress, dressing, plaster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bandage

A flexible strip of material used for wrapping and securing wounds and injuries. Often used for sprains, strains, and to hold dressings in place.

  • She wrapped a bandage around his sprained ankle.
  • After cleaning the wound, apply a bandage to protect it.
dressing

A sterile covering placed directly over a wound to protect it and absorb fluids. Typically used in medical settings and more serious injuries.

  • The nurse changed the dressing on his wound daily.
  • A special dressing was used to promote healing.
compress

A pad or cloth that is soaked in a substance and applied with pressure to reduce pain, swelling, or bleeding. Often used for first aid and soothing applications.

  • Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
  • He used a warm compress to ease the pain in his muscles.
plaster

A small, adhesive strip used to cover minor cuts, scrapes, or blisters. Common in household first aid kits and for minor injuries.

  • She put a plaster on her paper cut.
  • He covered the blister with a plaster to prevent infection.

Examples of usage

  • The nurse applied a bandage to the cut on his arm.
  • She wrapped the bandage tightly around the sprained ankle.
Context #2 | Verb

medical

To cover or wrap a wound with a bandage.

Synonyms

bind up, dress, wrap up.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
bandage

Used for a variety of situations involving covering and protecting wounds or injuries.

  • He used a bandage to cover the cut on his arm.
  • The nurse quickly applied a bandage to the wound.
dress

Often used in medical or professional settings when cleaning and covering the wound with sterile materials.

  • The nurse will dress the wound to prevent infection.
  • Before the doctor could examine it, they needed to dress the injury.
bind up

Generally associated with more serious or deep wounds requiring thorough care and attention.

  • They had to bind up the deep gash on his leg.
  • The soldier's wounds were bound up tightly to stop the bleeding.
wrap up

Commonly used in informal settings to loosely cover an injury, often with materials at hand.

  • She had to wrap up her ankle with a scarf after she twisted it.
  • He wrapped up his hand with a cloth to stop the bleeding.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor bandaged the patient's injured leg.
  • He carefully bandaged the cut on his finger.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • In ancient Egypt, papyrus and linen were used as early bandages to protect wounds.
  • Greece and Rome used olive oil and wine-soaked cloths as antiseptic bandages in their medical practices.
  • During the Napoleonic Wars, innovations in bandaging techniques greatly improved the survival rates of soldiers.

Science

  • Modern bandages often feature advanced materials that can promote healing, absorb moisture, or even deliver medications.
  • Certain bandages contain silver or honey, which have natural antibacterial properties.
  • Research has shown that keeping a wound moist with a bandage can promote faster healing compared to letting it dry out.

Cultural Significance

  • In various cultures, healing rituals often incorporate bandaging as a symbol of recovery and protection.
  • Some traditional medicines use specific herbs or infusions within bandages to aid in healing, reflecting cultural beliefs.
  • Bandaging practices vary across cultures, with some emphasizing aesthetic designs on their bandages.

Literature

  • Bandages often symbolize recovery in literature, signifying not just physical healing but emotional recuperation.
  • In many stories, characters use bandages as a metaphor for the scars of past experiences that shape their identities.
  • Famous works of literature frequently portray bandaging as a means of connecting characters, offering care and compassion.

Origin of 'bandage'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old French 'bandage', which is derived from 'bander', meaning 'to bind'.
  • It has roots tracing back to the Latin word 'bandare', which also means 'to bind or wrap'.
  • The concept of bandaging has been part of medical practices since ancient civilizations, emphasizing its long-standing importance.

The word 'bandage' originated from the Old North French word 'bander', meaning 'to bind'. The use of bandages for medical purposes dates back to ancient times, with evidence found in Egyptian and Greek writings. Over the centuries, bandages have evolved in material and design to better serve their purpose in wound care and healing.

See also: band, banded, bandit, bands, bandwidth, disband.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,663, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.