Sentence:  These 'signatures' (in Arabic "‘alāmāt"; singular, "‘alāma") typically consisted of a phrase of up to half a dozen <WSD>conjoined</WSD> words written as a monogram in which the reed pen usually maintained contact with the parchment throughout. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Joined together physically, of persons (conjoined twins), or things.