branch
♦ branch /br'ɑːntʃ, br'æntʃ/ (branches branching branched)
1 [N-COUNT]
The branches of a tree are the parts that grow out from its trunk and have leaves, flowers, or fruit growing on them.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
A branch of a business or other organization is one of the offices, shops, or groups which belong to it and which are located in different places.
The local branch of Bank of America is handling the accounts...
National is Britain's leading autocare service with over 400 branches nationwide.
3 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N of n, adj N
A branch of an organization such as the government or the police force is a department that has a particular function.
Senate employees could take their employment grievances to another branch of government...
He had a fascination for submarines and joined this branch of the service.
...the Metropolitan Police Special Branch.
4 [N-COUNT] N of n
A branch of a subject is a part or type of it.
Oncology is the branch of medicine dealing with tumors.
5 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A branch of your family is a group of its members who are descended from one particular person.
This is one of the branches of the Roosevelt family.branch line (branch lines)
[N-COUNT]
A branch line is a railway line that goes to small towns rather than one that goes between large cities.branch off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, also V P, V P n
A road or path that branches off from another one starts from it and goes in a slightly different direction. If you branch off somewhere, you change the direction in which you are going.
After a few miles, a small road branched off to the right...branch out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, also V P
If a person or an organization branches out, they do something that is different from their normal activities or work.
I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects...ol|ive branch (olive branches)
also olive-branch
[N-COUNT] usu sing
If you offer an olive branch to someone, you say or do something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement or quarrel.
Clarke also offered an olive branch to critics in his party.
1 [N-COUNT]
The branches of a tree are the parts that grow out from its trunk and have leaves, flowers, or fruit growing on them.
2 [N-COUNT] oft N of n
A branch of a business or other organization is one of the offices, shops, or groups which belong to it and which are located in different places.
The local branch of Bank of America is handling the accounts...
National is Britain's leading autocare service with over 400 branches nationwide.
3 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N of n, adj N
A branch of an organization such as the government or the police force is a department that has a particular function.
Senate employees could take their employment grievances to another branch of government...
He had a fascination for submarines and joined this branch of the service.
...the Metropolitan Police Special Branch.
4 [N-COUNT] N of n
A branch of a subject is a part or type of it.
Oncology is the branch of medicine dealing with tumors.
5 [N-COUNT] usu N of n
A branch of your family is a group of its members who are descended from one particular person.
This is one of the branches of the Roosevelt family.branch line (branch lines)
[N-COUNT]
A branch line is a railway line that goes to small towns rather than one that goes between large cities.branch off
[PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, also V P, V P n
A road or path that branches off from another one starts from it and goes in a slightly different direction. If you branch off somewhere, you change the direction in which you are going.
After a few miles, a small road branched off to the right...branch out
[PHRASAL VERB] V P prep/adv, also V P
If a person or an organization branches out, they do something that is different from their normal activities or work.
I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects...ol|ive branch (olive branches)
also olive-branch
[N-COUNT] usu sing
If you offer an olive branch to someone, you say or do something in order to show that you want to end a disagreement or quarrel.
Clarke also offered an olive branch to critics in his party.