1. Constrained by a contractual or other obligation (they are bound to make the payments by the first of each month).
2. (Of a court) constrained to follow a precedent (bound by a Supreme Court decision).
bound, n. (usu. pl.)
1. BOUNDARY (metes and bounds).
2. A limitation or restriction on action (within the bounds of the law).
bound, vb. To delineate a property boundary (property bounded by the creek). Cf. BIND.