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

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

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

All alike gave rise to an Obligation or vinculum juris, and were all requited by a payment of money.

From Ancient Law Its Connection to the History of Early Society by Maine, Henry Sumner, Sir

Mr. Bowditch, too, refuses us; so fascinating is the vinculum of the dulce natale solum.

From Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 4 by Randolph, Thomas Jefferson