Ligature

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈlɪɡətʃɚ/

Origin

From Middle English, from Middle French, from Late Latin ligātura, from Latin ligātus, past participle of ligāre ("to tie, bind").

Full definition of ligature

Noun

1. (uncountable) The act of tying or binding something.
2. (countable) A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
3. A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc.
4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness.the ligature of a joint
5. (countable, typography) A character that visually combines multiple letters, such as æ, œ, ß or ij; also logotype. Sometimes called a typographic ligature.
6. (countable, music) A group of notes played as a phrase, or the curved line that indicates such a phrase.
7. (music) A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
8. (countable) A piece used to hold a reed to the mouthpiece on woodwind instruments.
9. Impotence caused by magic or charms.

Derived terms

• ligature point

Related terms

• liaison
• ligate
• ligation

Verb

1. (surgery) To ligate; to tie.