Weekly Word: Vinculum

This word came up for me recently in both a math book and in some random Star Trek trivia. A vinculum is “a bond signifying union or unity”.

As a term used in mathematical notation, it refers to “a horizontal line placed above multiple quantities to indicate that they form a unit” (Wolfram MathWorld).

And in the world of Star Trek, the vinculum is a processing device in the core of Borg vessels that connects the minds of all the drones (Memory Beta Star Trek Wiki). Brainwashed drones all working in unison? Yup, vinculum is a perfect name for a device that creates a bond like that.