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ramify

verb ram·i·fy \ ˈra-mə-ˌfī \

Definition of ramify

ramified; ramifying
intransitive verb
1 :to split up into branches or constituent parts
2 :to send forth branches or extensions
transitive verb
1 :to cause to branch
2 :to separate into divisions

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Examples of ramify in a Sentence

  1. the rise of cable television ramified the audience, creating ever smaller segments for an ever growing array of programming choices

How ramify Branched Off Latin

Ramify has been part of English since the 15th century and is an offshoot of the Latin word for "branch," which is "ramus." English acquired several scientific words from "ramus," including "biramous" ("having two branches"). Another English word derived from "ramus" is the now obsolete ramage, meaning "untamed" or "wild." "Ramage" originated in falconry-it was initially used of young hawks that had begun to fly from branch to branch in trees. "Ramify" started out as a scientific word, at first referring to branching parts of plants and trees and later to veins and nerves, but it soon branched out into non-scientific and even figurative uses, as in "ideas that ramify throughout society."

Origin and Etymology of ramify

Middle English ramifien, from Anglo-French ramifier, from Medieval Latin ramificare, from Latin ramus branch; akin to Latin radix root — more at root

ramify Synonyms

Synonyms
break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, separate, resolve, sever, split, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke
Antonyms
join, link, unify, unite
Related Words
break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve; bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect; fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize; break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear; cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester; detach, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie
Near Antonyms
assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix; connect, couple; accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

Medical Dictionary

ramify

intransitive verb ram·i·fy \ ˈram-ə-ˌfī \

medical Definition of ramify

ramified; ramifying
:to split up into branches or constituent parts

Learn More about ramify

  1. See words that rhyme with ramify Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ramify Spanish Central: Translation of ramify Nglish: Translation of ramify for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ramify for Arabic speakers

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Examples: ramify in a Sentence
Editor's Note: How ramify Branched Off Latin