Ligature

(From Lat. ligare = bind) an orthographic ligature is the inseparable connection of two adjacent letters like "Æ". However, it is also possible to combine the initial letters of two consecutive words: e.g. the opening of the preface to the high prayer "Vere dignum et iustum", which is often reproduced with a "VD" ligature. In this case it is an initial ligature.