Etymology Dictionary

BAN,  a proclamation; pl. BANNS.  (E.)   M. E. ban, Rob. of Glouc. p. 187.  Cf. M. E. bannien, bannen, to prohibit, curse; Layamon, ii. 497; Gower, C. A. ii. 96.  [Though the Low Lat. bannum and O. F. ban are found (both being derived from the O. H. G. bannan, or pannen, to summon, from the sb. ban or pan, a summons), the word is to be considered as E., the G. word being cognate.]—A. S. gebann, a proclamation, in Ælfric's Hom. i. 30.   Cf. 'þâ het se cyng abannan út ealne þeódscipe = then the king commanded to order out (assemble) all the population; A. S. Chron. A. D. 1006. + Du. ban, excommunication; bannen, to exile. + Icel. and Swed. bann, a ban; banna, to chide. + Dan. band, a ban; bande, to curse.  β. Fick connects ban with Lat. fama, fari, from ✔BHAN, to speak, i. 156.   Cf. Skt. bhan, to speak, related to bhásh, to speak.   See Bandit, Banish, Abandon.   ¶ Hence pl. banns, spelt banes in Sir T. More, Works, p. 434 g.