ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ligament

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈɫɪɡəmənt// UK //lˈɪɡəmənt// lig·a·ment

n. a tough, flexible band of tissue that connects two bones in your body. It helps hold your joints together and keeps them stable when you move.

n. a short band of tough, flexible fibrous connective tissue which connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint.


SIMPLE

He tore a ligament in his knee while playing soccer.

CONTEXTUAL

The surgeon explained that the ligament would take several months to heal completely after the reconstruction.

COMPLEX

Unlike muscles, which are highly vascular and heal relatively quickly, a damaged ligament receives less blood flow, often resulting in a prolonged and delicate recovery period for the athlete.

Origin

From Middle English ligament, from Latin ligāmentum, from ligō (“tie, bind”).

Usage

Commonly used in medical and athletic contexts; often paired with verbs like 'tear', 'strain', or 'rupture'.

Pitfall

he hurt his knee tendonhe hurt his knee ligamentLearners often confuse 'ligament' (bone to bone) with 'tendon' (muscle to bone).

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