branch

[[t]bræntʃ, brɑntʃ[/t]]

n.

1) bot a division or subdivision of the stem or axis of a tree, shrub, or other plant

2) a limb, offshoot, or ramification of any main stem:

the branches of a deer's antlers[/ex]

3) any member or part of a body or system; a section or subdivision:

the various branches of medicine[/ex]

4) a local operating division of a business, library, etc

5) a line of family descent stemming from a particular ancestor; a division of a family

6) gel a tributary stream or any stream that is not a large river or a bayou

7) dial.

branch water

8) ling. peo a group of related languages constituting a subdivision of a language family:

the Germanic branch of Indo-European[/ex]

9) cmp a point in a computer program where the computer selects one of two or more instructions to execute, according to some criterion

10) to put forth branches; spread in branches

11) to divide into separate parts or subdivisions; diverge:

The road branches off to the left[/ex]

12) cvb to expand or extend, as business activities (usu. fol. by out)

13) to divide into branches or sections

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Etymology: 1250-1300; ME bra(u)nche < AF; OF branche < LL branca paw, of uncert. orig. branch′less, adj. branch′like`, adj.