Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Ligature
Lig′a-ture
(lĭg′ȧ-tū̍r; 135)
, Noun.
1.
The act of binding.
2.
Anything that binds; a band or bandage.
3.
(Surg.)
(a)
A thread or string for tying the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage.
(b)
A thread or wire used to remove tumors, etc.
4.
The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness;
as, the
. ligature
of a joint5.
Impotence caused by magic or charms.
[Obs.]
6.
(Mus.)
A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
7.
(Print.)
A double character, or a type consisting of two or more letters or characters united, as æ, [filig], [ffllig].
Lig′a-ture
(lĭg′ȧ-tū̍r)
, Verb.
T.
(Surg.)
To ligate; to tie.
Webster 1828 Edition
Ligature
LIG'ATURE
,Noun.
1.
Any thing that binds; a band or bandage.2.
The act of binding; as, by a strict ligature of the parts.3.
Impotence induced by magic.4.
In music, a band or line connecting notes.5.
Among printers, a double character, or a type consisting of two letters or characters united; as fl, fi, in English. The old editions of Greek authors abound with ligatures.6.
The state of being bound.7.
In medicine, stiffness of a joint.8.
In surgery, a cord or string for tying the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage.Definition 2024
ligature
ligature
See also: ligaturé
English
Noun
ligature (countable and uncountable, plural ligatures)
Examples of ligatures
- (uncountable) The act of tying or binding something.
- (countable) A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
- A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc.
- The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness.
- the ligature of a joint
- (countable, typography) A character that visually combines multiple letters, such as æ, œ, ß or ij; also logotype. Sometimes called a typographic ligature.
- (countable, music) A group of notes played as a phrase, or the curved line that indicates such a phrase.
- (music) A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.
- (countable) A piece used to hold a reed to the mouthpiece on woodwind instruments.
- Impotence caused by magic or charms.
Derived terms
Related terms
- (typography) double letter
- liaison
- ligate
- ligation
Translations
act of tying
cord etc.
typography: character that combines multiple letters
|
|
music: group of notes played as a musical phrase
Verb
ligature (third-person singular simple present ligatures, present participle ligaturing, simple past and past participle ligatured)
French
Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin ligātura, from Latin ligātus, past participle of ligō (“tie, bind”). Compare the popular Old French liüre.
Noun
ligature f (plural ligatures)
- a tie; the action of tying
- a binding, notably in horticulture
- ligature; a character that combines multiple letters; logotype.