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n. 1. The act of tying or binding. 2. a. A cord, wire, or bandage used for tying or binding. b. A thread, wire, or cord used in surgery to close vessels or tie off ducts. c. Something that unites; a bond. 3. A character, letter, or unit of type, such as æ, combining two or more letters. 4. Music a. A group of notes intended to be played or sung as one phrase. b. A curved line indicating such a phrase; a slur. c. A passage of notes sung by repeating the same syllable. d. 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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]  (click for a larger image) ligatureopening notes of "The Star-Spangled Banner" |
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