Ligering

Ligering is a term used in several domains to describe the prolongation of presence, effect, or interaction beyond what is typical for a given process. It is not a single, standardized concept and its precise meaning varies by field, with practitioners often defining it contextually in their work.

In pharmacology and biochemistry, ligering can refer to extended residence time of a ligand at its molecular target. This prolongation can influence the duration of pharmacological action, dosing considerations, and off-target risks. Researchers may quantify ligering through kinetic measurements such as residence time, dissociation rates, or target occupancy over time.

In materials science and chemical engineering, ligering may describe delayed diffusion or persistent binding of additives, solvents, or dopants within a matrix. Such ligering can affect release profiles, mechanical properties, or stability, particularly in polymers, composites, and porous media.

In linguistic or communication studies, ligering has been used to describe the deliberate or incidental extension of a phrase, signal, or discourse marker to maintain attention, ensure comprehension, or create stylistic effect. The term is less established in these areas and is typically defined within individual studies, with varying operational definitions.

Limitations: the lack of standard definition can lead to ambiguity and confusion with related terms (such as lingering, ligand binding, or ligation). When used, scholars commonly provide explicit definitions, measurement methods, and scope to clarify what constitutes ligering in their work.