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branch Definition

branch (branc̸h, bränc̸h)

noun

  1. any woody extension growing from the trunk or main stem, or from a main limb, of a tree or shrub
  2. anything physically resembling a branch, as a tine of a deer's antler
  3. ☆
    1. one of the streams into which a river or large creek may divide, usually near the mouth
    2. a large tributary flowing into a river
  4. ☆ Chiefly South a small stream flowing usually into a creek
  5. ☆ branch water
  6. any part or extension of a main body or system; specif.,
    1. a division or part of a body of learning optics is a branch of physics
    2. a division of a family descending from a common ancestor
    3. a subdivision of a family of languages
    4. a division or a separately located unit of an organization a library branch
    5. a post-office subdivision outside the community where its main post office is located
    6. Comput. a jump (), esp. one that selects one of two or more alternative instructions as the next executed

Etymology: ME branche < OFr brance < LL branca, a claw, paw

intransitive verb

  1. to put forth branches; spread in or divide into branches; ramify
  2. to come out (from the trunk or stem) as a branch
  3. Comput. to continue at an instruction in another part of the program by means of a branch ()

transitive verb

  1. to separate into branches
  2. to embroider with a pattern of flowers, foliage, etc.

branch Related Forms
branched adjective branch′·like′ adjective
branch Idioms

branch off

  1. to separate into branches; fork
  2. to go off in another direction; diverge

branch out

  1. to put forth branches
  2. to extend the scope of interests, activities, etc.
branch Synonyms

branch

n.

  1. A part, usually of secondary importance

    tributary, outpost, chapter, member, part, office, bureau, division, subdivision, section, derivative, dependency, subsidiary, affiliate, arm, wing, classification, department, category, ramification, local office, branch office, branch factory, etc.; see also division 2.

  2. A secondary shoot

    bough, limb, offshoot, sprig, twig, sucker, scion, bud, arm, fork, growth.

branch Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • mathematics: He describes himself as a surveyor, but his time seems to have been chiefly occupied in teaching various branches of mathematics.
  • tree: We used planks made from the higher branches of the tree behind the stage.
  • profession: It all depends on what branch of the profession you choose.
  • artery: Squeeze the left thigh muscles to force blood from branches of the iliac artery up the main vessel.
  • science: At the end of sixth form studies many students will not know which branch of science they want to follow.
  • medicine: Common Terms Radiology The branch of medicine originating from the use of X-rays for diagnosis now called Clinical Radiology.

Converse of object

  • prune: Prune the branches which have grown this year so that they are about 25cm ( 10in ) long ( points B ).

Adjective modifier

  • olive: Surely we should take it upon ourselves to extend the olive branch of reconciliation?
  • bare: Now we can see great bunches of Ash keys hanging on the bare branches, where they will remain until spring.
  • near: Please check your nearest branch for more specific information.
  • legislative: On this subject the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government must work together.
  • local: Once you have located your local branch, you will find a list of the ways you can get in touch.

Modifies a noun

  • secretary: Mike moved to the North East in 1978 after seven years as branch secretary at Tooting Sorting Office.
  • office: In 1967 a branch office was opened in Bahrain which evolved into the head office.
  • closure: With nationalization came the start of a ruthless re-structuring with branch line closures, signaling rationalization and diesel locomotives replacing steam locomotives.
  • line: The oil industry became the savior of the Hoo Peninsula branch line.
  • campus: Most foreign providers have withdrawn, leaving only a handful committed to the branch campus model dictated by the Higher Education Act, 1997.

Noun used with modifier

  • high-street: The first of Remploy's high-street branches are opening in Birmingham, Plymouth and Leeds.
  • union: A series of union branch meetings will now take place, which will also discuss voting on defending pensions.
  • tree: Then avoiding tree branches, finish up loose rock with poor protection.
branch Quotes

In communist society, where nobody has one exclusive sphere of activity but each canbecomeaccomplished in any branch he wishes, society regulates the general production and thus makes it possible for me to do one thing todayand another tomorrow, to hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening or criticize after dinner, just as I desire, without ever becoming hunter, fisherman, shepherd or critic.

—Marx, Karl Heinrich

And glow more intense than blaze of branch, or brazier, Stirs the dumb spirit: no wind, but pentecostal fire In the dark time of the year. Between melting and freezing The soul's sap quivers.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)

A branch of one of your antediluvian families, fellows that the flood could not wash away.

—Congreve,William

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the L shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the L.

—Bible (Old Testament)

   Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, And burne'  d is Apollo's laurel bough, That sometime grew within this learned man.

—Marlowe, Christopher

Lovelyare the curves of the white owl sweeping Wavy in the dusk lit by one large star. Lone on the fir-branch, his rattle-note unvaried, Brooding o'er the gloom, spins the brown eve-jar.

—Meredith, George

That man's the true Conservative Who lops the mouldered branch away.

—Tennyson

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; Daniel and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the L of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.But untoyou that fear my nameshall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Oh roses for the flush of youth, And laurel for the perfect prime; But pluck an ivy branch for me Grown old before my time.

—Rossetti, Christina Georgina

Just as thesweet-apple reddens on thehigh branch, high onthehighest, and theapple-pickersmissed it, or rather did not miss it out, but could not reach it.

—Sappho   7c

I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig- tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked.One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet†I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig-tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.

—Plath, Sylvia