often attributive
1
botany
: a natural subdivision of a plant stem
especially
: a secondary shoot or stem (such as a bough) arising from a main axis (as of a tree)
pruning the tree's lower branches
a swing mounted on a tree branch
2
: something that extends from or enters into a main body or source: such as
a(1)
: a stream that flows into another usually larger stream : tributary
the river's smaller branches
(2)
Southern US and Midland US
: creek sense 1
b
: a side road or way
the railroad's branch line
c
: a slender projection (such as the tine of an antler)
the branches of a menorah
d
mathematics
: a distinctive part of a mathematical curve (see curve entry 3 sense 1a(2))
e
computers
: a part of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision
3
: a part of a complex body: such as
a
: a division of a family descending from a particular ancestor
the Iranian branch of the family
b
: an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas
orthopedics and other branches of medicine
syntax is a branch of linguistics
c(1)
: a division of an organization
a branch of the armed services
the government's legislative and executive branches
(2)
: a separate but dependent part of a central organization
the neighborhood branch of the city library
d
linguistics
: a language group less inclusive than a family (see family entry 1 sense 5c)
the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family
branched; branching; branches
1
botany
: to put forth secondary shoots or stems : to put forth branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1) : ramify
an elm branching out over the rooftop
2
: to extend in different directions from a main part or point : to spring out (as from a main stem) : diverge
where the spring branches off from the river
3
: to develop or derive from a source : 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 into formal wear
5
computers
: to follow one of two or more parts of a computer program executed as a result of a program decision : to follow one of two or more branches (see branch entry 1 sense 2e)
1
: to ornament with designs of branches (see branch entry 1 sense 1)
branched velvet
2
: to divide up : section
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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