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Ligature

Ligature


lig·a·ture    Audio Help   (lĭg'ə-chŏŏr', -chər)  Pronunciation Key 


n.  
  1. The act of tying or binding.
    1. A cord, wire, or bandage used for tying or binding.
    2. A thread, wire, or cord used in surgery to close vessels or tie off ducts.
    3. Something that unites; a bond.
    4. A group of notes intended to be played or sung as one phrase.
    5. A curved line indicating such a phrase; a slur.
    6. A passage of notes sung by repeating the same syllable.
    7. A metal band that attaches the reed to the mouthpiece of the clarinet and related instruments.
  3. A character, letter, or type, such as æ, combining two or more letters.
  4. Music
    1. A group of notes intended to be played or sung as one phrase.
    2. A curved line indicating such a phrase; a slur.
    3. A passage of notes sung by repeating the same syllable.
    4. A metal band that attaches the reed to the mouthpiece of the clarinet and related instruments.

tr.v.   lig·a·tured, lig·a·tur·ing, lig·a·tures
To ligate.


[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin ligātūra, from Latin ligātus, past participle of ligāre, to bind; see leig- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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