ligament
[ lig-uh-muh nt ]
/ ˈlɪg ə mənt /
noun
Anatomy, Zoology.
a band of tissue, usually white and fibrous, serving to connect bones, hold organs in place, etc.
a tie or bond: The desire for personal freedom is a ligament uniting all peoples.
Origin of ligament
1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin
ligāmentum, Latin: bandage, equivalent to
ligā(re) to tie +
-mentum
-ment
Words nearby ligament
lifting body,
lifting sail,
liftoff,
lig,
lig snail,
ligament,
ligament of head of femur,
ligamentopexis,
ligamentous,
ligamentum,
ligan
Example sentences from the Web for ligament
British Dictionary definitions for ligament
ligament
/ (ˈlɪɡəmənt) /
noun
anatomy
any one of the bands or sheets of tough fibrous connective tissue that restrict movement in joints, connect various bones or cartilages, support muscles, etc
any physical or abstract connection or bond
Word Origin for ligament
C14: from Medieval Latin
ligāmentum, from Latin (in the sense: bandage), from
ligāre to bind
Medical definitions for ligament
ligament
[ lĭg′ə-mənt ]
n.
A band or sheet of tough fibrous tissue connecting two or more bones, cartilages, or other structures, or serving as support for fasciae or muscles.
A fold of peritoneum supporting any of the abdominal viscera.
The cordlike remains of a fetal vessel or other structure that has lost its original lumen.
Other words from ligament
lig′a•men′tal (-mĕn′tl) null adj.Scientific definitions for ligament
ligament
[ lĭg′ə-mənt ]
A sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue that connects two bones or holds an organ of the body in place.