unbound
adj/ʌnˈbaʊnd/
› Not bound.
1
Not obligated.
- Near-synonyms: unconstrained, unrestrained, unencumbered; unfettered, fetterless
- The terms of the contract inadvertently left certain unbound aspects to subjective interpretation.
2
Not tied up.
- Near-synonyms: unfettered, fetterless, unrestrained, unchained, unshackled, shackleless, unmanacled, unhandcuffed
- The hostages' hands were left unbound.
3
Of a book or document Without a binding.
- an unbound book
- Beneath an old ebony table were two long carved oak chests. I lifted the lid of one, and at the top was a once-white surplice covered with dust, and beneath was a mass of tracts — Commonwealth Quartos, unbound — a prey to worms and decay.1880, William Blades, The Enemies of Books, page 40:
4
Of an atomic nucleus Lying beyond the proton or neutron drip line; having a negative particle separation energy; capable of decaying by the spontaneous exothermic emission of one or more nucleons.
Nuclear physics
- Helium-2 is unbound, as it is energetically favorable for it to split into two separate protons.
- Derived terms
- unbound state