vinculum

American  

[ving-kyuh-luhm] / ˈvɪŋ kyə ləm /

noun

plural

vincula

1. a bond signifying union or unity; tie.

2. Mathematics. a stroke or brace drawn over a quantity consisting of several members or terms, as , in order to show that they are to be considered together.

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vinculum British  

/ ˈvɪŋkjʊləm /

noun

1. a horizontal line drawn above a group of mathematical terms, used as an alternative to parentheses in mathematical expressions, as in x + y – z which is equivalent to x + ( y – z )

2. anatomy

   1. any bandlike structure, esp one uniting two or more parts

   2. another name for ligament

3. rare a unifying bond; tie

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Etymology

Origin of vinculum

First recorded in 1670–80; from Latin: “fetter,” equivalent to vinc(īre) “to bind” + -ulum -ule

Example Sentences

But it gets really tricky when people assume that a slash replaces a vinculum.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2013

A vinculum usually has little to do with division; it’s used in fractions and to group together numbers just as parentheses are.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2013

You might expect 10 ÷ 5 is the same as 10/5 is the same as 10 over a 5 with a vinculum between them, but each has its own eccentricities.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2013

Now quick with the vinculum of the earthly creature!

From Sidonia, the Sorceress : the Supposed Destroyer of the Whole Reigning Ducal House of Pomerania — Volume 2 by Meinhold, Wilhelm

The Latin legend inscribed above the design runs: “Neque est ullum certius amicitiae vinculum quam consensus et societas consiliorum et voluntatum.”

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 24 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis