noun

1. a tying or binding together
2. a thing used in tying or binding together; tie, bond, etc.
3. 1. a written or printed character containing two or more letters united, as æ,fl,t̸h
   2. a curved line connecting such letters in writing
4. Music
   1. in medieval mensural notation, a symbol representing two or more notes
   2. a curved line joining two or more notes in a tie or slur
   3. the notes so connected
5. Surgery a thread or wire used to tie up an artery, etc.

Etymology: ME < MFr < LL ligatura < pp. of L ligare, to bind < IE base *leiĝ-, to bind > MLowG līk, a tie, MHG geleich, joint, Alb lidhe, a bond

transitive verb ligatured -·tured, ligaturing -·tur·ing