ligature

Meanings

1. The act of tying or binding something.
2. A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
3. A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc.
4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness.
5. A character that visually combines multiple letters, such as æ, œ, ß or ij; also logotype. Sometimes called a typographic ligature.
6. A group of notes played as a phrase, or the curved line that indicates such a phrase.
7. A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
8. A piece used to hold a reed to the mouthpiece on woodwind instruments.
9. Any binding, uniting, or restraining principle or agency.
10. A spell or charm that induces sexual impotence.

1. To ligate; to tie.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *leyǵ-der. Latin ligō Proto-Indo-European *-tew-? Proto-Indo-European *-r-eh₂? Latin -tūra Late Latin ligātūrabor. Middle French ligaturebor. Middle English ligature English ligature From Middle English ligature, from Middle French ligature, from Late Latin ligātūra, from Latin ligātus, past participle of ligāre (“to tie, bind”).