ligature
UK[ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃər]US[ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃʊr]
n
a thing used for tying or binding something tightly, especially a cord or thread in surgery.
n
a slur or tie in musical notation indicating that notes are to be played or sung smoothly and connectedly.
n
a character consisting of two or more joined letters, such as æ or fi.
Morpheme Breakdown
lig
ature
lig
bind
ature
noun suffix
Etymology
the word ligature originates from the latin verb ligare, meaning "to bind or tie". this verb itself is derived from the proto-indo-european root leig-, which carried the sense of "to bind". the latin past participle ligatus gave rise to the late latin noun ligatura, denoting the action or result of binding. entering english via old french in the late middle ages, the term evolved from its literal surgical and general binding sense to acquire specialized meanings in typography and music, all retaining the core concept of connection or union.
Analysis
Structure: lig (bind) + ature (noun suffix)
lig is from latin ligare meaning "to bind, tie". ature is a noun-forming suffix from latin -atura, indicating an action or its result.
Examples
the surgeon applied a ligature to secure the blood vessel.
in this font, the 'fi' combination is often printed as a single ligature.
the composer used a ligature to indicate the phrase should be played legato.