ban

/bæn/

Prohibition.

A public proclamation or edict; a summons by public proclamation. Chiefly, in early use, a summons to arms.

Bans is common and ordinary amongst the Feudists, and signifies a proclamation, or any public notice.

The gathering of the (French) king's vassals for war; the whole body of vassals so assembled, or liable to be summoned; originally, the same as arrière-ban: in the 16th c., French usage created a distinction between ban and arrière-ban, for which see the latter word.

France was at such a Pinch..that they call'd their Ban and Arriere Ban, the assembling whereof had been long discussed, and in a manner antiquated.

A curse or anathema.

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.