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

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