ligature

¹lig·a·ture

noun
\ˈlig-ə-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r\

Definition of LIGATURE

1

: something that is used to bind; specifically : a filament (as a thread) used in surgery (as for tying blood vessels)

2

: the action or result of binding or tying <the ligature of an artery>