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

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

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

O quam placens in colore, O quam fragrans in odore, O quam sapidum in ore, Dolce linguae vinculum.

From The Naples Riviera by Vaughan, Herbert M. (Herbert Millingchamp)

The following are his words: “Sic non obscurus est ejusmodi motus in quâcumque corporis parte, si vinculum adhibeatur, aut aliâ ratione occludantur venæ: cùm enim tollitur permeatio, intumescunt rivuli quâ parte fluere solent.”

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)