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ligament

lig·a·ment [ líggəmənt ] (plural lig·a·ments)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. tough tissue connecting body parts: a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue that connects bones or cartilage at a joint or supports an organ, muscle, or other body part

2. connector: something that forms a connection or bond

[14th century. < Latin ligamentum< ligare "bind"]

lig·a·ment·al [ lìggə mént'l ] adjective
lig·a·men·ta·ry [ lìggə méntəree ] adjective
lig·a·men·tous [ lìggə méntəss ] adjective

Word History

The Latin word ligare "to bind," from which ligament is derived, is also the source of English ally, liaison, lien, ligature, oblige, and rely, and probably also of liable and religion.

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