branch

Main Entry:: ¹branch
Pronunciation:: \ˈbranch\
Function:: 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

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