branch

I. 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 adjective • branchless adjective • branchy 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 branched from religious prose

> 4. to extend activities — usually used with out <

the business is branching 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