yoke

¹yoke

noun \ˈyōk\

plural yokes

Definition of YOKE

1

a : a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together b : an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated person c : a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portions d : a bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harness e (1) : a crosspiece on the head of a boat's rudder (2) : an airplane control operating the elevators and ailerons f : a frame from which a bell is hung g : a clamp or similar piece that embraces two parts to hold or unite them in position

2

plural usually yoke : two animals yoked or worked together

3

a (1) : an oppressive agency (2) : servitude, bondage b : tie, link; especially : marriage

4

: a fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments

Examples of YOKE

1. <a people able at last to throw off the yoke and to embrace freedom>

Origin of YOKE

Middle English yok, from Old English geoc; akin to Old High German joh yoke, Latin jugum, Greek zygon, Sanskrit yuga, Latin jungere to join

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to YOKE

Synonyms: bondage, enslavement, servility, servitude, thrall, thralldom (or thraldom), slavery

Antonyms: freedom, liberty

Related Words: peonage, serfdom; dependence (also dependance), subjection, subjugation; captivity, enchainment, imprisonment, incarceration

Near Antonyms: emancipation, enfranchisement, liberation, manumission; autonomy, independence, self-government, sovereignty (also sovranty)

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Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with YOKE

bloke, broke, choke, cloak, coke, croak, folk, hoke, joke, moke, oak, poke, Polk, roque, smoke, soak, soke, spoke, stoke, stroke, toke, toque, yogh, yolk