c.1400, "something used in tying or binding," from O.Fr. ligature, from L.L. ligatura "a band," from L. ligatus, pp. of ligare "to bind" (see ligament).
Main Entry: 2ligature Function: transitive verb Inflected Forms: -tured; -tur·ing : to tie up or bind <ligaturing the blood
vessels —Veterinary Record>
Main Entry: 1lig·a·ture Pronunciation: 'lig-&-"chu(&)r, -ch&r, -"t(y)u(&)r Function: noun 1: something that
is used to bind; specifically: a filament (as a thread) used in surgery (as for tying blood vessels) 2: the action or result of binding or tying <the
ligature of an artery>
League\, n. [F. ligue, LL. liga, fr. L. ligare to bind; cf. Sp. liga. Cf. Ally a confederate, Ligature.] An alliance or combination of two or more nations, parties, or persons, for the accomplishment of a purpose which requires a continued course of action, as for mutual defense, or for furtherance of commercial, religious, or political interests, etc. And let there be 'Twixt us and them no league, nor amity. --Denham. Note: A league may be offensive or defensive, or both; offensive, when the parties agree to unite in attacking a common enemy; defensive, when they agree to a mutual defense of each other against an enemy. The Holy League, an alliance of Roman Catholics formed in 1576 by influence of the Duke of Guise for the exclusion of Protestants from the throne of France. Solemn League and Covenant. See Covenant,2. The land league, an association, organized in Dublin in 1879, to promote the interests of the Irish tenantry, its avowed objects being to secure fixity of tenure fair rent, and free sale of the tenants' interest. It was declared illegal by Parliament, but vigorous prosecutions have failed to suppress it. Syn: Alliance; confederacy; confederation; coalition; combination; compact; co["o]peration.
Li"a*ble\ (l[imac]"[.a]*b'l), a. [From F. lier to bind, L. ligare. Cf. Ally, v. t., Ligature.]1. Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable; as, the surety is liable for the debt of his principal. 2. Exposed to a certain contingency or casualty, more or less probable; -- with to and an infinitive or noun; as, liable to slip; liable to accident. Syn: Accountable; responsible; answerable; bound; subject; obnoxious; exposed. Usage: Liable, Subject. Liable refers to a future possible or probable happening which may not actually occur; as, horses are liable to slip; even the sagacious are liable to make mistakes. Subject refers to any actual state or condition belonging to the nature or circumstances of the person or thing spoken of, or to that which often befalls one. One whose father was subject to attacks of the gout is himself liable to have that disease. Men are constantly subject to the law, but liable to suffer by its infraction. Proudly secure, yet liable to fall. --Milton. All human things are subject to decay. --Dryden.
Li`ai`son"\ (l[-e]`[asl]`z[^o]N"), n. [F., fr. L. ligatio, fr. ligare to bind. See Ligature, and cf. Ligation.] A union, or bond of union; an intimacy; especially, an illicit intimacy between a man and a woman.
Lig"a*ment\ (l[i^]g"[.a]*ment), n. [L. ligamentum, fr. ligare to bind: cf. F. ligament. Cf. Lien, n., Ligature.]1. Anything that ties or unites one thing or part to another; a bandage; a bond. --Hawthorne. Interwoven is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts. --Washington. 2. (Anat.) (a) A tough band or plate of dense, fibrous, connective tissue or fibrocartilage serving to unite bones or form joints. (b) A band of connective tissue, or a membranous fold, which supports or retains an organ in place; as, the gastrophrenic ligament, connecting the diaphragm and stomach.
Lig"a*ture\ (l[i^]g"[.a]*t[-u]r; 135), n. [L. ligatura, fr. ligare, ligatum, to bind: cf. F. ligature. Cf. Ally, League, Legatura, Liable, Ligament.]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 joint. 5. 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 [ae], [filig], [ffllig].
Log"o*type\, n. [Gr. ? word + -type.] (Print.) A single type, containing two or more letters; as, [ae], [AE], [filig], [fllig], [ffllig], etc.; -- called also ligature.
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Audio Help [lig-uh-cher, -choo
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