ligament

1. (anatomy) A band of strong tissue that connects bones to other bones.Examples: "It so chanced that at this juncture the decayed ligaments of the skeleton gave way, and the dry bones fell together in a heap, thus causing the dusty wreath of cypress to drop upon the table."; "Her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are torn and Vonn has a lateral fracture of the tibial plateau, the upper end of the tibia or shin bone."

2. (figurative) That which binds or acts as a ligament.Examples: "It remains to mention one consideration which naturally occurred in the reflections upon the expediency of assuming the State Debts. This is its tendency to strengthen our infant Government by increasing the number of ligaments between the Government and the interests of Individuals."; "1845, Daniel Webster, oration on Justice Joseph Story Justice is the ligament which holds civilized beings and civilized nations together."figuratively