Tightly bonded (5-4)
I believe the answer is:
close-knit
'tightly bonded' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for close-knit that I've seen before include "Bound by strong ties" , "United or joined together - with wool?" , "Thick" , "(Group) united by many ties" , "Tightly bound together" .)