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15 dictionary results for: branch
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
branch       [branch, brahnch] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.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.
3.any member or part of a body or system; a section or subdivision: the various branches of learning.
4.a local operating division of a business, library, or the like.
5.a line of family descent stemming from a particular ancestor, as distinguished from some other line or lines from the same stock; a division of a family.
6.a tributary stream or any stream that is not a large river or a bayou.
7.Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. branch water (def. 2).
8.Linguistics. (in the classification of related languages within a family) a category of a lower order than a subfamily and of a higher order than a subbranch or a group, as the Germanic branch of Indo-European. Compare group (def. 4a).
9.Computers. a point in a computer program where the computer selects one of two or more instructions to execute, according to some criterion.
10.Nautical. a warrant or license permitting a pilot to navigate in certain waters.
–verb (used without object)
11.to put forth branches; spread in branches.
12.to divide into separate parts or subdivisions; diverge: The main road branches off to the left.
13.to expand or extend, as business activities: The bank has plans to branch throughout the state.
–verb (used with object)
14.to divide into branches or sections.
15.to adorn with needlework; decorate with embroidery, as in textile fabrics.
—Verb phrase
16.branch out, to expand or extend, as business activities, pursuits, interests, etc.: The business is branching out into computers.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME bra(u)nche < AF; OF branche < LL branca paw, of uncert. orig.]

—Related forms
branchless, adjective
branchlike, adjective

—Synonyms 1. offshoot, shoot. Branch, bough, limb refer to divisions of a tree. Branch is general, meaning either a large or a small division. Bough refers only to the larger branches: a bough loaded with apples. A limb is a large primary division of a tree trunk or of a bough: to climb out on a limb. 12. ramify, subdivide.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
branch       (brānch)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
    1. A secondary woody stem or limb growing from the trunk or main stem of a tree or shrub or from another secondary limb.
    2. A lateral division or subdivision of certain other plant parts, such as a root or flower cluster.
    3. A secondary outgrowth or subdivision of a main axis, such as the tine of a deer's antlers.
    4. Anatomy An offshoot or a division of the main portion of a structure, especially that of a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic vessel; a ramus.
    5. An area of specialized skill or knowledge, especially academic or vocational, that is related to but separate from other areas: the judicial branch of government; the branch of medicine called neurology.
    6. A division of a business or other organization.
    7. A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
    8. Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
    9. A tributary of a river.
    10. Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
    11. A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
    12. A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
    13. The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
  2. Something that resembles a branch of a tree, as in form or function, as:
    1. A secondary outgrowth or subdivision of a main axis, such as the tine of a deer's antlers.
    2. Anatomy An offshoot or a division of the main portion of a structure, especially that of a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic vessel; a ramus.
    3. An area of specialized skill or knowledge, especially academic or vocational, that is related to but separate from other areas: the judicial branch of government; the branch of medicine called neurology.
    4. A division of a business or other organization.
    5. A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
    6. Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
    7. A tributary of a river.
    8. Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
    9. A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
    10. A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
    11. The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
  3. A limited part of a larger or more complex unit or system, especially:
    1. An area of specialized skill or knowledge, especially academic or vocational, that is related to but separate from other areas: the judicial branch of government; the branch of medicine called neurology.
    2. A division of a business or other organization.
    3. A division of a family, categorized by descent from a particular ancestor.
    4. Linguistics A subdivision of a family of languages, such as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.
    5. A tributary of a river.
    6. Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
    7. A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
    8. A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
    9. The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
    1. A tributary of a river.
    2. Chiefly Southern U.S. See creek. See Regional Note at run.
    3. A divergent section of a river, especially near the mouth.
    4. A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
    5. The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.
  5. Mathematics A part of a curve that is separated, as by discontinuities or extreme points.
  6. Computer Science
    1. A sequence of program instructions to which the normal sequence of instructions relinquishes control, depending on the value of certain variables.
    2. The instructions executed as the result of such a passing of control.

v.   branched, branch·ing, branch·es

v.   intr.
  1. To put forth a branch or branches; spread by dividing.
    1. To come forth as a branch or subdivision; develop or diverge from: an unpaved road that branches from the main road; a theory that branches from an older system of ideas.
    2. To enlarge the scope of one's interests, business, or activities: branch out from physics into related fields.
  3. Computer Science To relinquish control to another set of instructions or another routine as a result of the presence of a branch.

v.   tr.
  1. To separate (something) into or as if into branches.
  2. To embroider (something) with a design of foliage or flowers.


[Middle English, from Old French branche, from Late Latin branca, paw, perhaps of Celtic origin.]

branch'less adj., branch'y adj.
Synonyms: These nouns denote something resembling or structurally similar to a limb of a tree: a branch of a railroad; an arm of the sea; the western fork of the river; an offshoot of a mountain range.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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creek       (krēk, krĭk)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called regionally branch, brook1, kill2, run.
  2. A channel or stream running through a salt marsh: tidal creeks teeming with shore wildlife.
  3. Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove.


[Middle English creke, probably from Old Norse kriki, bend.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
branch 
1297, "limb of a tree" (also used of things analogous to it, especially geographic features), from O.Fr. branche, from L.L. branca "a claw, paw," of unknown origin, probably Gaulish. Meaning "local office of a business" is first recorded 1817, from earlier sense of "component part of a system" (1696). The verb meaning "to diverge from a central point" is first attested 1799.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
branch

noun
1. a division of some larger or more complex organization; "a branch of Congress"; "botany is a branch of biology"; "the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages" 
2. a division of a stem, or secondary stem arising from the main stem of a plant 
3. a part of a forked or branching shape; "he broke off one of the branches" 
4. a natural consequence of development [syn: outgrowth] 
5. a stream or river connected to a larger one 
6. any projection that is thought to resemble a human arm; "the arm of the record player"; "an arm of the sea"; "a branch of the sewer" [syn: arm] 

verb
1. grow and send out branches or branch-like structures; "these plants ramify early and get to be very large" [syn: ramify] 
2. divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork; "The road forks" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

branch

In addition to the idioms beginning with branch, also see olive branch; root and branch.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

branch (brānch)
n.
An offshoot or a division of the main portion of a structure, especially that of a nerve, blood vessel, or lymphatic vessel; a ramus.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: branch
Function: noun
: a part of a complex body: as a : one of the three main divisions of the U.S. or a state government —see also EXECUTIVE, JUDICIARY, LEGISLATURE b : a division of a business or organization branch office> —see also branch bank at BANK

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

branch
1. An edge in a tree.
2. A jump.

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Branch County, MI (county, FIPS 23) Location: 41.91510 N, 85.05440 W
Population (1990): 41502 (18449 housing units)
Area: 1314.2 sq km (land), 31.3 sq km (water)

Branch, MI Zip code(s): 49402

Branch, AR (city, FIPS 8440) Location: 35.30606 N, 93.95626 W
Population (1990): 299 (132 housing units)
Area: 6.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 72928

Branch, LA Zip code(s): 70516

Branch, MN (city, FIPS 7318) Location: 45.51459 N, 92.95757 W
Population (1990): 2400 (720 housing units)
Area: 88.4 sq km (land), 0.9 sq km (water)

Farmers Branch, TX (city, FIPS 25452) Location: 32.92680 N, 96.87892 W
Population (1990): 24250 (9213 housing units)
Area: 31.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 75234, 75244

North Branch, MI (village, FIPS 58080) Location: 43.22981 N, 83.19171 W
Population (1990): 1023 (391 housing units)
Area: 2.5 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 48461

North Branch, MN (city, FIPS 46798) Location: 45.51429 N, 92.97837 W
Population (1990): 1867 (790 housing units)
Area: 4.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 55056

North Branch, NJ Zip code(s): 08876

North Branch, NY Zip code(s): 12766

Bear Branch, KY Zip code(s): 41714

Olive Branch, MS (city, FIPS 54040) Location: 34.95478 N, 89.82904 W
Population (1990): 3567 (1392 housing units)
Area: 15.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 38654

Plum Branch, SC (town, FIPS 57670) Location: 33.84943 N, 82.25924 W
Population (1990): 101 (40 housing units)
Area: 1.0 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 29845

Poplar Branch, NC Zip code(s): 27965

Roaring Branch, PA Zip code(s): 17765

South Branch, MI Zip code(s): 48761

Spring Branch, TX Zip code(s): 78070

Long Branch, TX Zip code(s): 75669

West Branch, MI (city, FIPS 85580) Location: 44.27566 N, 84.23531 W
Population (1990): 1914 (815 housing units)
Area: 3.2 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 48661

Bee Branch, AR Zip code(s): 72013

Drakes Branch, VA (town, FIPS 23376) Location: 36.99275 N, 78.60104 W
Population (1990): 565 (245 housing units)
Area: 10.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 23937

Dry Branch, GA Zip code(s): 31020

Early Branch, SC Zip code(s): 29916

East Branch, NY Zip code(s): 13756

Fall Branch, TN (CDP, FIPS 25540) Location: 36.41724 N, 82.62336 W
Population (1990): 1203 (509 housing units)
Area: 12.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 37656

Flowery Branch, GA (town, FIPS 30340) Location: 34.18560 N, 83.92315 W
Population (1990): 1251 (575 housing units)
Area: 3.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 30542

Fort Branch, IN (town, FIPS 24250) Location: 38.24678 N, 87.57483 W
Population (1990): 2447 (1026 housing units)
Area: 1.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 47648

Horse Branch, KY Zip code(s): 42349

Long Branch, NJ (city, FIPS 41310) Location: 40.29670 N, 73.98920 W
Population (1990): 28658 (13632 housing units)
Area: 13.5 sq km (land), 2.5 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 07740

West Branch, IA (city, FIPS 83595) Location: 41.67008 N, 91.34920 W
Population (1990): 1908 (731 housing units)
Area: 4.9 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 52358

Wells Branch, TX (CDP, FIPS 77196) Location: 30.44575 N, 97.67906 W
Population (1990): 7094 (3894 housing units)
Area: 5.7 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

Long Branch, PA (borough, FIPS 44512) Location: 40.10266 N, 79.87892 W
Population (1990): 482 (204 housing units)
Area: 8.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)

West Long Branch, NJ (borough, FIPS 79310) Location: 40.29000 N, 74.01833 W
Population (1990): 7690 (2528 housing units)
Area: 7.5 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 07764

Village of the Branch, NY (village, FIPS 77519) Location: 40.85126 N, 73.18464 W
Population (1990): 1669 (538 housing units)
Area: 2.4 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Branch

Branch\, n.; pl. Branches. [OE. braunche, F. branche, fr. LL. branca claw of a bird or beast of prey; cf. Armor. brank branch, bough.]

1. (Bot.) A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant.

2. Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as, the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a branch of a river; a branch of a railway.

Most of the branches, or streams, were dried up. --W. Irving.

3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department. "Branches of knowledge." --Prescott.

It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --Shak.

4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.

5. A line of family descent, in distinction from some other line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such a line; as, the English branch of a family.

His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock. --Carew.

6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.

Branches of a bridle, two pieces of bent iron, which bear the bit, the cross chains, and the curb.

Branch herring. See Alewife.

Root and branch, totally, wholly.

Syn: Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Branch

Branch\, a. Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Branch

Branch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Branched; p. pr. & vb. n. Branching.]

1. To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.

2. To divide into separate parts or subdivision.

To branch off, to form a branch or a separate part; to diverge.

To branch out, to speak diffusively; to extend one's discourse to other topics than the main one; also, to enlarge the scope of one's business, etc.

To branch out into a long disputation. --Spectator.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Branch

Branch\, v. t. 1. To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.

2. To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.

The train whereof loose far behind her strayed, Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought. --Spenser.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Branch

a symbol of kings descended from royal ancestors (Ezek. 17:3, 10; Dan. 11:7); of prosperity (Job 8:16); of the Messiah, a branch out of the root of the stem of Jesse (Isa. 11:1), the "beautiful branch" (4:2), a "righteous branch" (Jer. 23:5), "the Branch" (Zech. 3:8; 6:12). Disciples are branches of the true vine (John 15:5, 6). "The branch of the terrible ones" (Isa. 25:5) is rightly translated in the Revised Version "the song of the terrible ones," i.e., the song of victory shall be brought low by the destruction of Babylon and the return of the Jews from captivity. The "abominable branch" is a tree on which a malefactor has been hanged (Isa. 14:19). The "highest branch" in Ezek. 17:3 represents Jehoiakim the king.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Sponsored Links Bank Branch Scheduling
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www.Gmt.com/banking
Branches Tree Decorative
Branches Tree Decorative Online. Shop Home Decor at Target.
www.Target.com
Botanicals, Branches, Etc
Unique, unusual, hard to find Decorative, Dried, Preserved,
www.ShoppingTheGlobe.com