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

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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

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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

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