1. something used for tying or binding
Usage: medical
2. a character consisting of two or more letters joined together
Usage: typography
3. a slur connecting notes to be sung or played smoothly
Usage: music

1. to bind with a ligature
Usage: medical

Examples

• The surgeon used a ligature to tie off the blood vessel.
• The old manuscript contained several decorative ligatures.
• In typography, ‘æ’ is a common ligature of ‘a’ and ‘e’.
• The composer marked the passage with a ligature to indicate smooth playing.
• The doctor will ligature the artery during the procedure.
• Medieval scribes often used ligatures to save space on parchment.