ligatures

Threads binding vessels

Ligatures are ties or bindings.

In surgery, a ligature is thread used to tie off blood vessels.

In typography, a ligature joins two or more letters into a single character—fi and fl are common examples, where the letters would otherwise collide awkwardly.

In music, a ligature holds the reed to a woodwind mouthpiece.

The verb ligate means to bind with a ligature: The surgeon ligated the artery.

typography

kerning

Letter-pair spacing adjustment

glyphVisual form of character
typefaceLettering style design
fontCharacter style set

serif · sans-serif · typesetting · leading · tracking · ff · OpenType · stylistic · discretionary · standard

calligraphy

flourish

To grow vigorously

scriptWritten words for performance
cursiveJoined handwriting style
penmanshipSkill of forming letters

ink · nib · quill · manuscript · parchment · vellum · illumination · uncial · minuscule · stroke

music

slur

Insulting group label

tieEqual score, or neckwear
notationSystem of written symbols
phrasingManner of expressing something

legato · articulation · bow · bowing · smooth · connected · notes · score · stringed · woodwind

medical

suture

Medical wound closure

surgicalRelating to operations
arteryOxygen-rich blood conduit
veinVessel toward heart

vessel · bleeding · hemostasis · clamp · tying · silk · catgut · nylon · absorbable · knot

ligatures

kerning

flourish

slur

suture

ligatures

Opposites

Categories

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