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branchlike

 - 5 dictionary results

branch

  [branch, brahnch]
Use branchlike in a Sentence
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

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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Legal Dictionary

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: branch
Pronunciation: 'branch
Function: noun
1 : something that extends from or enters into a main body or source branch ofan artery>
2 : an area of knowledge that may be considered apart from related areas branch of medicine> —branch intransitiveverb —branched /'brancht/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

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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