Bindingerne

Bindingerne is the definite plural form of the Danish noun binding, and it is used to refer to multiple bindings. In Danish, binding can denote the act of tying or fastening, a binding element that holds things together, or, in publishing, the outer cover and spine of a book. The word’s meaning is highly context-dependent, and bindingerne can thus refer to different kinds of bindings in different fields.

Etymology and grammar: binding derives from the verb binde, meaning to bind. The noun form is created with the suffix -ing, and the definite plural ends with -erne. This construction is typical in Danish, where many nouns formed from verbs use -ing and take -erne in the plural definite.

Primary sense in publishing and libraries: in bibliographic descriptions, bindingerne denotes the bindings of books—the physical coverings, spines, and assembled pages. Descriptions may note binding material (such as cloth, leather, or paper) and binding method (for example, sewn or glued bindings). The term is common in catalogs, conservation reports, and archival records.

Other uses: bindingerne can also refer to bindings that fasten objects, such as straps, cords, or other fastening devices. In legal or contractual language, while the adjective bindende is used to describe something legally binding, the plural noun bindingerne appears only in contexts discussing multiple bindings or binding elements.

See also: binde (to bind), binding as a concept, bookbinding, bibliographic description.