[ad. L. ligātiōn-em, n. of action f. ligāre to bind.]
† 1. The action or process of binding; a connecting or binding fast; also, the condition of being bound; suspension (of the faculties). Obs.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., *iij. To bring to passe in this wretched worlde, in our bodye, a shorte and breefe ligatione [of us and Heaven].
1612. J. Cotta, Disc. Dang. Pract. Physicke, I. vii. 68. To them that sleep in their clothes … there is not so true a ligation of their senses.
1638. Penit. Conf., viii. (1657), 237. He that hath not the power of absolution hath not the power of ligation.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., II. § 11. The slumber of the body seems to be but the waking of the soul. It is the ligation of sense, but the liberty of reason.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Ligation, a binding, also the tongue-tying in children especially.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., 291. They having no coherence or ligation with the time of the Prophet, but onely with one another.
1684. T. Burnet, Theory of Earth, I. 196. The ligation of Satan proves this point effectually: for so long as Antichrist reigns, Satan cannot be said to be bound.
2. The action of binding with a ligature; esp. in Surg., the operation of tying up (a bleeding artery, etc.). Also, an instance of this.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 27/2. The ligatione or tyinge of the teeth, to ioyn them together.
1634. T. Johnson, Parey’s Chirurg., XIV. iii. 556. The habit of the body ought to prescribe a measure in ligation: for tender bodies cannot away with so hard binding as hard.
a. 1659. Osborn, Queries, Wks. (1673), 588. Swathing, and the rest of the ligations used by Nurses to Infants.
1689. Moyle, Sea Chyrurg., II. v. 39. If such a Wound should happen in the joint of the Hip, where such Ligation cannot be made.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VI. 165. It is this angeiitis which leads to the closure of a vessel after ligation.
3. Something used in binding; a ligature, bandage, bond, tie; also, the place of tying. arch.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 44 b/2. Reducinge both the endes of the ligatione which we have in our hands above on the wounde.
1633. J. Done, Hist. Septuagint, 48. There was also an enrichment of Precious stones, strung through a ligation of Cords.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett., II. xlvii. Ther is a peculiar Religion attends frendship, ther is according to the Etymologie of the word, a ligation and solemne tie.
1815. Scott, Guy M., xxxviii. A bundle tied with tape, and sealed at each fold and ligation with black wax.
