Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word ligature. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word ligature, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say ligature in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word ligature you have here. The definition of the word ligature will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofligature, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
(countable) A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
anti-ligature clothing
(in psychiatry) clothing that prevents one from using it to tie knots
1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Gives Some Account of Himself and Family, His First Inducements to Travel.”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. , volume I, London: Benj Motte,, →OCLC, part I (A Voyage to Lilliput), page 7:
I likewiſe felt ſeveral ſlender Ligatures acroſs my Body, from my Armpits to my Thighs. I could only look upwards, the Sun began to grow hot, and the Light offended mine Eyes.
2018, Eli Rosenberg, “She stalked the Golden State Killer until she died. Some think her work led to the suspect’s arrest”, in The Washington Post:
He hid shoelaces or rope under cushions to use as ligatures.
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Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing. (See the entry for “ligature”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.)
