I. ˈbranch noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French branche, from Late Latin branca paw
Date: 14th century
1. : a natural subdivision of a plant stem ; especially : a secondary shoot or stem (as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
2. : something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: as
a.
(1) : a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary
(2) Southern & Midland : creek 2
b. : a side road or way
c. : a slender projection (as the tine of an antler)
d. : a distinctive part of a mathematical curve
e. : a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision
3. : a part of a complex body: as
a. : a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor
b. : an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas
pathology is a branch of medicine
c.
(1) : a division of an organization
(2) : a separate but dependent part of a central organization
the neighborhood branch of the city library
d. : a language group less inclusive than a family
the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family
• branched ˈbrancht adjective
• branch·less ˈbranch-ləs adjective
• branchy ˈbran-chē adjective
II. verb
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to put forth branches : ramify
2. : to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge
3. : to be an outgrowth — used with from
poetry that branch ed from religious prose
4. : to extend activities — usually used with out
the business is branch ing out
5. : to follow one of two or more branches (as in a computer program)
transitive verb
1. : to ornament with designs of branches
2. : to divide up : section