ligature

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: lig=a=ture

CIDE DICTIONARY

ligature, n. [L. ligatura, fr. ligare, ligatum, to bind: cf. F. ligature. Cf. Ally, League, Legatura, Liable, Ligament.].

•  The act of binding.  [1913 Webster]
•  Anything that binds; a band or bandage.  [1913 Webster]
•  A thread or string for tying the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage.  [1913 Webster]
•  The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the ligature of a joint.  [1913 Webster]
•  Impotence caused by magic or charms.  [1913 Webster]
•  A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.  [1913 Webster]
•  A double character, or a type consisting of two or more letters or characters united, as æ, , .  [1913 Webster]

ligature, v. t. 

 To ligate; to tie.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

ligature, n. & v.
--n.
1 a tie or bandage, esp. in surgery for a bleeding artery etc.
2 Mus. a slur; a tie.
3 Printing two or more letters joined, e.g. {aelig}.
4 a bond; a thing that unites.
5 the act of tying or binding.
--v.tr. bind or connect with a ligature.

Etymology

ME f. LL ligatura f. L ligare ligat- tie, bind

THESAURUS

ligature

accent, accent mark, ascender, back, bar, bastard type, beard, belly, bevel, black letter, body, braid, brail, cable, cancel, cap, capital, case, character, cord, counter, custos, descender, direct, dot, em, en, expression mark, face, fat-faced type, feet, fermata, font, groove, hold, italic, key signature, knot, lead, letter, ligament, ligation, line, link, logotype, lower case, majuscule, mark, measure, metronomic mark, minuscule, nexus, nick, notation, pause, pi, pica, point, presa, print, roman, rope, sans serif, script, segno, shank, shoulder, sign, signature, slur, small cap, small capital, spun yarn, stamp, stem, string, swell, symbol, tempo mark, tendon, thong, tie, time signature, twine, twist, type, type body, type class, type lice, typecase, typeface, typefounders, typefoundry, upper case, vinculum, wire, yarn, yoke

ROGET THESAURUS

ligature

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.