ligature
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lig·a·ture

noun \ˈli-gə-ˌchr, -chər, -ˌtr, -ˌtyr\

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

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