legare

Legare is an Italian verb meaning to bind, tie, or fasten. It is used for attaching objects with a cord or rope, securing a load, or joining two items. The word also has figurative senses, such as linking ideas, forming a bond, or constraining someone through obligations or agreements.

Etymology and related senses: Legare derives from Latin ligāre, a cognate of ligature and ligaments. It belongs to the Romance-language family of verbs that express binding or tying, with equivalents in other languages such as Spanish atar and French lier. In everyday Italian, legare can describe physical fastening as well as metaphorical connections between concepts or commitments.

Grammar: Legare is a regular first-conjugation (-are) verb. Its passive participle is legato, and its gerund is legando. It is primarily transitive, often used with a direct object (for example, legare una scatola, to tie a box). It can also be used reflexively or semi-reflexively to express a commitment or constraint, as in legarsi a una promessa (to bind oneself to a promise) or legare le mani (to tie one’s hands).

Usage notes: Common actions include legare una scatola con una corda, legare due pezzi di legno, or legare i capelli. Figurative uses include legare le mani, meaning to restrict or prevent someone from acting. The verb is versatile in formal and informal contexts, and its participial form legato appears in compound constructions and passive forms.

Overall, legare describes both physical fastening and the broader idea of creating connections or obligations through binding or tying.