branch

 
Pronunciation: /brɑːn(t)ʃ/

noun

  • a part of a tree which grows out from the trunk or from a bough: Sophie was in the branches of a tree eating an apple
  • a lateral extension or subdivision extending from the main part of a river, road, railway, etc.: a branch of the Clinton River
  • a division or office of a large business or organization, operating locally or having a particular function: he went to work at our Birmingham branch
  • a conceptual subdivision of a family, subject, group of languages, etc.: a branch of mathematics called graph theory

verb

[no object]
  • 1(of a road or path) divide into one or more subdivisions: follow this track south until it branches into two
  • (branch off) diverge from the main route or part: the road branched off at the market town
  • (branch out) extend or expand one’s activities or interests in a new direction: the company is branching out into Europe
  • 2(of a tree or plant) bear or send out branches: this rose has a tendency to branch and spread at the top (as adjective branching) the branching heads of large yellow daisies

Derivatives

branched

adjective

branchlet

noun

branch-like

adjective

branchy

adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French branche, from late Latin branca 'paw'