n.
Pronunciation: ' li-g ə -m ə nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin ligamentum, from Latin, band, tie, from ligare
Date: 14th century
1 : a tough fibrous band of tissue connecting the articular extremities of bones or supporting an organ in place
2 : a connecting or unifying bond <the law of nations, the great ligament of mankind ― Edmund Burke>
– lig · a · men · tous \ - ' men-t ə s \ adjective