legame Italian · revision 39015

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 1292, Bono Giamboni|origins=la ligō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /leˈɡa.me/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''legame''' ''m'' (plural legami)^(Wiktionary)

+ An older form [[roa-oit|ligame]] is now disused.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|la|ligāmen|t=band, tie; bandage]].^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary) The Latin noun is formed from [[m|la|ligō|t=to tie, bind]] with the suffix [[m|la|-men]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) The GDLI calls the Italian word an adaptation of the Latin one, and Zingarelli agrees.^(GDLI)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ DEI places the word in Italy and the western Romance area.^(DEI|2193) Its relatives include [[fr|lien]], [[fur|leamb]], [[rm|liam]] in the Engadine and [[sc|ligamen]] in Logudorese.^(REW 1935)^(Körting 1907) In the dialects the meaning narrowed: Sicilian [[m|scn|iama]] is a band of willow for tying, and an Abruzzese form means “broom”, the plant used for binding.^(REW 1935)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ DELI's first record is in Bono Giamboni (before 1292), for anything used to tie or fasten.^(DELI 1999)^(Zingarelli 2010) In his translation of Vegetius the ropes and ties of a bridge break and the men fall into the water.^(GDLI)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The figurative sense “emotional or moral bond” is almost as old: Brunetto Latini has it before 1294.^(DELI 1999) Arrighetto (before 1313) uses ''legame'' for a logical link between words, the bond between “clean” and “unclean”.^(DELI 1999) Boccaccio writes of being freed from love's bonds.^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)

+

+ The literal sense has become uncommon; today the word means mainly a relationship of affection or obligation, and a connection between facts or ideas.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026) Chemistry gave it a technical sense, the forces that hold atoms together in molecules (''legame ionico'', ''legame covalente''), and mathematics another, a constraint that entities must satisfy.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * Before 1292 – Bono Giamboni uses ''legame'' for a tie or fastening.^(DELI 1999)^(GDLI)

+ * Before 1294 – Brunetto Latini uses it for an emotional or moral bond.^(DELI 1999)

+ * Before 1313 – Arrighetto uses it for a logical connection.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(uncommon)'' Something used to tie or fasten, a [[m|en|tie]] or [[laccio|alt=cord]]: ''Il prigioniero riuscì a sciogliere i legami.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(figurative)'' An emotional or moral [[m|en|bond]], a relationship: ''Tra le due sorelle c'è sempre stato un legame fortissimo.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(figurative)'' A commitment that limits one's freedom: ''Non vuole legami.''^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)^(Gabrielli 2020)

+ # A [[m|en|connection]] or logical link: ''La polizia non vede alcun legame tra i due furti.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(chemistry)'' The bond between atoms that holds a molecule or crystal together.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' A constraint that two or more entities must satisfy.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[legare]]

+ * [[legamento]]

+ * [[la|ligamen]]

+ * [[fr|lien]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A Tuscan proverb, ''a cattivo cane corto legame'', “a bad dog needs a short leash”, means that unruly people must be held under strict rules.^(Tommaseo–Bellini 1861)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}