ligature

lig·a·ture

noun
\ˈli-gə-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtu̇r, -ˌtyu̇r\

Definition of LIGATURE

1

a : something that is used to bind; specifically : a filament (as a thread) used in surgery b : something that unites or connects : bond

2

: the action of binding or tying

3

: a compound note in mensural notation indicating a group of musical notes to be sung to one syllable

4

: a printed or written character (as æ or ^ƒƒ) consisting of two or more letters or characters joined together

Examples of LIGATURE

1. <the surgeon tied a ligature around the tube to keep it in place>
2. <a common language is often the ligature that unites the people of a nation>

Origin of LIGATURE

Middle English, from Late Latin ligatura, from Latin ligatus, past participle of ligare to bind, tie; akin to Albanian lidh I tie

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LIGATURE

Synonyms: band, bind, bracelet, chain, cuff(s), fetter, handcuff(s), irons, bond, manacle(s), shackle

Related Words: captivity, confinement, constraint, curb, enchainment, enslavement, hindrance, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, restraint, restriction; entanglement, net, trammel, trap; collar, straitjacket (also straightjacket); fastener, hobble, hold, hold-down, holding, tie

Near Antonyms: detaching, disengaging, parting, separation; unbinding, unfastening, unfettering, untying (or untieing); emancipation, freedom, liberation, release

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with LIGATURE

amateur, aperture, armature, blackamoor, carrefour, carte du jour, coinsure, commissure, confiture, connoisseur, coverture, curvature, cynosure, embouchure, epicure, filature, forfeiture, garniture, geniture, green-manure, haute couture, immature, insecure, manicure, overture, paramour, pedicure, plat du jour, portraiture, prelature, premature, quadrature, reassure, Reaumur, reinsure, saboteur, sepulture, sequitur, signature, simon-pure, sinecure, soup du jour, tablature, temperature, to be sure, troubadour, white amur, Yom Kippur