branch
/brɑ:ntʃ; ?@ brntʃ; bræntʃ/ n
1 arm-like division of a tree, growing from the trunk or from a bough 树枝
He climbed up the tree and hid among the branches. 他爬上树, 藏在树枝後面. =>illus at App 1 见附录1之插图, page i.
2 similar division of a river, road, railway or mountain range （河流、公路、铁路或山脉的）类似分支
a branch of the Rhine 莱茵河的支流
[attrib 作定语]
a branch line, ie a division of a main railway line, serving country areas 支线（铁路干线通往乡村的分支）.
3 subdivision of a family, a subject of knowledge, or a group of languages （家族的）分支; （知识的）分科; （语言的）分系
His uncle's branch of the family emigrated to Australia. 他的家族中叔父这一支系已移居澳大利亚.
Gynaecology is a branch of medicine. 妇科学是医学的一个分科.
4 local office or shop belonging to a large firm or organization （属於某大公司或机构的）地方办事处或分店
The bank has branches in all parts of the country. 该银行在全国各地设有分行.
[attrib 作定语]
a branch post office 邮局的分局.
5 (idm 习语) root and branch => root1. branch, v [I]
1 (of a tree) send out or divide into branches （指树）长出枝, 分出枝杈.
2 (of a road) divide into branches （指道路）分岔
The road branches after the level-crossing. 这条路在经过平面交叉道口後岔开了.
3 (phr v) branch `off (of a vehicle or road) turn from one road into a (usu) smaller one （指车辆或大路）转入或转为（通常为）小路
The car in front of us suddenly branched off to the left. 我们前面的那辆汽车突然转入左边的小路上去了.
The road to the village branches off on the right. 通往该村的道路向右转为一条小路. branch `out (into sth) extend or expand one's activities or interests in a new direction 向新的方向扩展自己的活动或兴趣
The company began by specializing in radios but has now decided to branch out into computers. 该公司开始时专营无线电器材, 现在已决定扩展业务经营计算机了.
She's leaving the company to branch out on her own. 她打算脱离这家公司, 自己开业.