vinculum

American  

[ving-kyuh-luhm] / ˈvɪŋ kyə ləm /

noun

vincula plural

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

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

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

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2013

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

Rex autem Edelfridus quamdam habuit sororem nomine Orwen et illam maritavit regi Athelberto, quod conjugium inter duos reges vinculum amoris catenavit.

From The Lay of Havelok the Dane by Unknown