Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Ligature \Lig"a*ture\ (l[i^]g"[.a]*t[-u]r; 135), n. [L.
   ligatura, fr. ligare, ligatum, to bind: cf. F. ligature. Cf.
   {Ally}, {League}, {Legatura}, {Liable}, {Ligament}.]
   1. The act of binding.

   2. Anything that binds; a band or bandage.

   3. (Surg.)
      (a) A thread or string for tying the blood vessels,
          particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage.
      (b) A thread or wire used to remove tumors, etc.

   4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the
      ligature of a joint.

   5. Impotence caused by magic or charms. [Obs.]

   6. (Mus.) A curve or line connecting notes; a slur.

   7. (Print.) A double character, or a type consisting of two
      or more letters or characters united, as [ae], [filig],
      [ffllig].

Ligature \Lig"a*ture\ (l[i^]g"[.a]*t[-u]r), v. t. (Surg.)
   To ligate; to tie.

Source : WordNet®

ligature
     n 1: (music) a group of notes connected by a slur
     2: character consisting of two or more letters combined into
        one
     3: a metal band used to attach a reed to the mouthpiece of a
        clarinet or saxophone
     4: thread used by surgeons to bind a vessel (as to constrict
        the flow of blood)
     5: something used to tie or bind [syn: {binder}]
     6: the act of tying or binding things together [syn: {tying}]