| elastic ligature | A rubber ligature that slowly constricts, in orthodontics, a stretchable threadlike material that may be tied from a tooth to an archwire or from tooth to tooth to gain movement of these units. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| ligature | 1. The act of binding. 2. Anything that binds; a band or bandage. 3. <surgery> A thread or string for tying the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, to prevent hemorrhage. A thread or wire used to remove tumours, etc. 4. The state of being bound or stiffened; stiffness; as, the ligature of a joint. 5. Impotence caused by magic or charms. 6. A curve or line connecting notes; a slur. 7. A double character, or a type consisting of two or more letters or characters united, as ae, <filig/, <ffllig/. Origin: L. Ligatura, fr. Ligare, ligatum, to bind: cf. F. Ligature. Cf. Ally, League, Legatura, Liable, Legament. <surgery> To ligate; to tie. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| ligature wire | A soft thin wire of stainless steel used in dentistry to tie an archwire to band attachments or brackets. (05 Mar 2000) |