BRANCH

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~e, from Late Latin branca paw Date: 14th century a natural subdivision of a plant stem, something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: as, a. a stream that flows into another usually larger stream ; tributary , creek 2, a side road or way, a slender projection (as the tine of an antler), a distinctive part of a mathematical curve, a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision, a part of a complex body: as, a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor, an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas , c. a division of an organization, a separate but dependent part of a central organization , a language group less inclusive than a family , ~ed adjective ~less adjective ~y adjective II. verb Date: 14th century intransitive verb to put forth ~es ; ramify , to spring out (as from a main stem) ; diverge , to be an outgrowth, to extend activities, to follow one of two or more ~es (as in a computer program), transitive verb to ornament with designs of ~es, to divide up ; section