lig|a|ture

lig|a|ture «LIHG uh chur, -chuhr», noun, verb, -tured, -tur|ing.

–n.

1. anything used to bind or tie up, such as a band, bandage, or cord; tie.

2. a thread, wire, or string, used by surgeons to tie up a bleeding artery or vein or to remove a tumor by strangulation, etc.

3. the act of binding or tying up.

4. Music. a) a slur or a group of notes connected by a slur, showing a succession of notes sung to one syllable or in one breath, or played with one stroke of the bow. b) = tie. (Cf. ↑tie) c) (in some medieval music) one of various compound note forms designed to indicate groups of two or more tones which were to be sung to a single syllable.

5. a) two or three letters joined in printing to form one character. b) a mark connecting two letters.

–v.t.

to bind, tie up, or connect with a ligature.

╂[< Late Latin ligātūra < Latin ligāre bind]