ligature

noun

1.
(music) a group of notes connected by a slur
2.
character consisting of two or more letters combined into one
3.
a metal band used to attach a reed to the mouthpiece of a clarinet or saxophone
4.
thread used by surgeons to bind a vessel (as to constrict the flow of blood)
Derived from:
ligate
5.
something used to tie or bind
6.
the act of tying or binding things together
Derived from:
ligate