ligature

 
Pronunciation: /ˈlɪgətʃə/

noun

  • 1a thing used for tying or binding something tightly: there was no sign of the ligature which strangled her
  • a cord or thread used in surgery, especially to tie up a bleeding artery.
  • 2 Music a slur or tie.
  • 3 Printing a character consisting of two or more joined letters, e.g. æ, fl.
  • a stroke that joins adjacent letters in writing or printing.

verb

[with object]
  • bind or connect with a ligature: he ligatured the duodenum below the pylorus

Origin:

Middle English: via late Latin ligatura from Latin ligat- 'bound', from the verb ligare