join vs ligate

join is a noun but ligate is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
join	Yes	No	Yes	No
ligate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, ligate is a hyponym of join; that is, ligate is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than join:

join (noun)	ligate (noun)
a set containing all and only the members of two or more given sets
the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made

join (verb)	ligate (verb)
make contact or come together	bind with a bandage or ligature
cause to become joined or linked	bind chemically
become part of; become a member of a group or organization	join letters in a ligature when writing
come into the company of
be or become joined or united or linked