BRANCHING
branching
(adjective) resembling the branches of a tree
branched, branching, ramose, ramous, ramate
(adjective) having branches
branching, ramification, fork, forking
(noun) the act of branching out or dividing into branches
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Verb
branching
present participle of branch
Noun
branching (plural branchings)
A process of forming a branch.
Source: Wiktionary
Branch"ing, a.
Definition: Furnished with branches; shooting our branches; extending in a
branch or branches.
Shaded with branching palm. Milton.
Branch"ing, n.
Definition: The act or state of separation into branches; division into
branches; a division or branch.
The sciences, with their numerous branchings. L. Watts.
BRANCH
Branch, n.; pl. Branches (. Etym: [OE. braunche, F. branche, fr. LL.
branca claw of a bird or beast of prey; cf. Armor. brank branch,
bough.]
1. (Bot.)
Definition: 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.)
Definition: 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.)
Definition: 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.
Branch, a.
Definition: 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.
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.
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition