Question

read the excerpt from thomas paines work \the crisis\ no. 1.
britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to tax) but \to bind us in all cases whatsoever,\ and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth....
... neither have i so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that he has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as i do not, i cannot see on what grounds the king of britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a house - breaker, has as good a pretence as he.
what is the denotation of the word \bound\ in this excerpt?
trapped
connected
depended
aided

Explanation:

Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word. In the context of the excerpt, "bound" is used in a negative sense related to slavery - like being restricted. "Trapped" is the most literal and fitting option as it conveys a sense of being restricted or confined, which aligns with the idea of being under the tyranny (as described with Britain's actions) similar to how slavery restricts. "Connected" has a more neutral or positive connotation of being joined (not restrictive), "depended" implies reliance (not the restrictive sense here), and "aided" means helped (opposite of the negative, restrictive context).

Answer:

trapped