LIGATURE
tying, ligature
(noun) the act of tying or binding things together
binder, ligature
(noun) something used to tie or bind
ligature
(noun) thread used by surgeons to bind a vessel (as to constrict the flow of blood)
ligature
(noun) a metal band used to attach a reed to the mouthpiece of a clarinet or saxophone
ligature
(noun) character consisting of two or more letters combined into one
ligature
(noun) (music) a group of notes connected by a slur
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
ligature (countable and uncountable, plural ligatures)
(uncountable) The act of tying or binding something.
(countable) A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc.
The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness.
(countable, typography) A character that visually combines multiple letters, such as æ, œ, ß or ij; also logotype. Sometimes called a typographic ligature.
(countable, music) A group of notes played as a phrase, or the curved line that indicates such a phrase.
(music) A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
(countable) A piece used to hold a reed to the mouthpiece on woodwind instruments.
Impotence caused by magic or charms.
Verb
ligature (third-person singular simple present ligatures, present participle ligaturing, simple past and past participle ligatured)
(surgery) To ligate; to tie.
Source: Wiktionary
Lig"a*ture, n. Etym: [L. ligatura, fr. ligare, ligatum, to bind: cf.
f. ligature. Cf. Ally, League, Legatura, Liable, Legament.]
1. The act of binding.
2. Anything that binds; a band or bandage.
3. (Surg.)
(a) A thread or string for tying the blood vessels, particularly the
arteries, to prevent hemorrhage.
(b) A thread or wire used to remove tumors, etc.
4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the ligature
of a joint.
5. Impotence caused by magic or charms. [Obs.]
6. (Mus.)
Definition: A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
7. (Print.)
Definition: A double character, or a type consisting of two or more letters
or characters united, as æ, fi, ffl.
Lig"a*ture, v. t. (Surg.)
Definition: To ligate; to tie.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition