ETYM Latin ligamentum, from ligare to bind: cf. French ligament. Related to Lien, Ligature.
1. A sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages or supporting muscles or organs.
2. Any connection or unifying bond.
3. Bond; bandage; band of tissue connecting bones, etc.
4. Strong flexible connective tissue, made of the protein collagen, which joins bone to bone at moveable joints. Ligaments prevent bone dislocation (under normal circumstances) but permit joint flexion.