'ligature' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'ligatura', where 'ligare' meant 'to bind'.

'ligature' changed from the Late Latin word 'ligatura' into Old French 'ligature' and eventually became the modern English word 'ligature' via Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a binding or the act of binding', and over time the meaning broadened to include specific objects used for binding (e.g., surgical ties) and a typographic sense ('joined letters').