Ligatures

noun

1. The act of tying or binding something.
2. A cord or similar thing used to tie something; especially the thread used in surgery to close a vessel or duct.
3. A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc.
4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness.

   "the ligature of a joint"

5. A character that visually combines multiple letters, such as æ, œ, ß or ij; also logotype. Sometimes called a typographic ligature.