Lig'a-tūre, n.

noun

(53), n. [Lat. ligatura, from ligare, to bind; Fr. ligature, O. Fr. lieure, Pr. ligadura, liadura, Sp. ligatura, ligadura, It. legatura.]

Any thing that binds; a band or bandage.
The act of binding; as, by a strict ligature of the parts. Arbuthnot.
The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the ligature of a joint.
The state of being rendered impotent by charms, magic, &c. [Obs.]
(Mus.) A band or line connecting notes.
(Print.) A double character, or a type consisting of two or more letters or characters united, as fi, fl, ffi, in English; as, the old editions of Greek authors abound with ligatures.
(Surg.) (a.) A cord or string for tying the blood-vessels, particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage. (b.) A thread or wire used to remove tumors, &c. Dunglison.