bans

Noun (1)

ban (plural bans)

1. A prohibition.
   • That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence,
     Much more to taste it under ban to touch1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
2. A public proclamation or edict; also, a summons by public proclamation, and in early use especially a summons to arms.
   • Bans is common and ordinary amongst the Feudists, and signifies a proclamation, or any publike notice.1641, John Rastell, translated by William Rastell, Termes de la Lay, 37b
3. The gathering of the (French) king’s vassals for war; the whole body of vassals assembled this way, or liable to be summoned; originally the same as arriere-ban, but distinct since the 16th century, following French usage—see arriere-ban.
   • […] he hath sente abroade to assemble his van and arriere van; wherby, and with the reste of his forces, he prepareth him selfe to enter this countrey; […]1591, published 1847, Henry Unton, Correspondence of Sir Henry Unton, knt., Ambassador from Queen Elizabeth to Henry IV. King of France, in the years MDXCI. and MDXCII., page 54
4. (obsolete) A curse or anathema.
   • With Hecate's ban thrice blasted, thrice infectedc. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac...
5. A pecuniary mulct or penalty laid upon a delinquent for offending against a ban, such as a mulct paid to a bishop by one guilty of sacrilege or other crimes.

Noun (2)

ban (plural bani)

1. A subdivision of currency, equal to one hundredth of a Romanian leu.

See all 15 meanings of ban

Noun

banns pl (plural only)

1. (plural, plural-only) The announcement of a forthcoming marriage (legally required for a church wedding in England and Wales and read on the three Sundays preceding the marriage).
   • VVhy the banns have been publiſhed, and nobody has forbidden them, 'tis true—but you know either of the parties may change their minds even after they enter the church.1766, George Colman, David Garrick, The Clandestine Marriage, a Comedy. […], London: […] T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, […]; R[oberts] Baldwin, […]; R. Davis, […]; and T[homas] Davies, […], →OCLC, Act...

   Synonyms:

   banns of marriage

2. (historical, plural, plural-only) Any public announcement of an upcoming event.
   • The Banes which are reade beefore the beginninge of the playes of Chester, 4 June, 1600.