Branch Meaning and Definition from WordNet (r) 2.0

branch n
1. an administrative division of some larger or more complex organization; "a branch of Congress" [syn: subdivision, arm]
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"; "they took the south fork" [syn: fork, leg, ramification]
4. a natural consequence of development [syn: outgrowth, offshoot, offset]
5. a stream or river connected to a larger one
6. any projection that is thought to resemble an arm; "the arm of the record player"; "an arm of the sea"; "a branch of the sewer" [syn: arm, limb] v
7. grow and send out branches or branch-like structures; "these plants ramify early and get to be very large" [syn: ramify]
8. divide into two or more branches so as to form a fork; "The road forks" [syn: ramify, fork, furcate, separate]

Branch Meaning and Definition from Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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

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* Old programmers never die. They just branch out to a new address. - Anon.

* Under the doctrine of separation of powers, the manner in which the president personally exercises his assigned executive powers is not subject to questioning by another branch of government. - Richard Milhous Nixon

* Shun no toil to make yourself remarkable by some talent or other yet do not devote yourself to one branch exclusively. Strive to get clear notions about all. Give up no science entirely for science is but one. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca


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