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# ligature

noun (a ligature, ligatures)

«ligature» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A ligature is a thread, string or band used to tie something tightly, especially by a doctor to tie off a blood vessel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#m1)
2. (writing) A ligature is two letters joined into one shape, like æ or œ, or «fi» in printed books. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#m2)
3. (music) A ligature is a mark or clamp joining notes or holding a reed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#m3)

### In the lessons

Medicine and first aid history; typing and printing lessons (æ in «encyclopædia»); music: the clamp on a clarinet. Formal word.

### Examples

- The surgeon tied a ligature round the blood vessel. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#x1)
- «Æ» is a ligature of «a» and «e». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#x2)
- Old books use ligatures like «œ». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#x3)
- The clarinet's reed is held by a ligature. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#x4)
- Some fonts join «f» and «i» with a ligature. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#x5)
- The ligature stopped the bleeding. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/#x6)

### Note

Plural: ligatures. Say «LIG-uh-cher». Related: ligament (in the body).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ligature» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/ligature/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ligature» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ligature.html) on Mova free.