n (1) 树枝，枝(arm-like division that grows out of the trunk of a tree)[C]：The tree has～es only at the top.这树树尖上才有枝杈。a nest in the～of a tree树枝中间的鸟窝;hide among the～es藏在枝叶中间;The bird alighted on a～.那鸟飞落到一根树枝上。cut some～es off a tree 从树上砍下一些树枝;olive～橄榄枝;〖同〗bough;

(2) 分支(similar division of some material thing)[C]：a～of a river河的支流; a～road/railway/line/canal道路/铁路/铁路/运河支线;a～ditch/water支渠/支流;the～es of an antler鹿角的分岔;

(3) 分部(支，店，号)(similar division of a non-material thing) [C]：a～of art/science/economy/mathematics/engineering/medicine/knowledge艺术/科学/经济学/数学/工程学/医学/知识的分支;a～of government/the union政府/工会的分支部门;a～of a family一个家庭的分支;the executive～of government政府的行政部门;a～office/post office/store分局/邮电所/分店;a bank～(银行的)分行;The business/bank has～es in many cities.这家商行/银行在许多城市有分店(行)。There is a～of that store in this town.这镇上有那家商店的分店。〖同〗section，part， division，subdivision;

vi (1) 分枝((of a tree) send out or divide into branches)[I]：The trees～(out) over the river. 那些树长出的树枝伸在河面上空。Small roots～out from the big root.须根从大根分蘖出来。

(2) 分岔((of a road)divide or spread out in branches)[I]：The line～es there/to the right/into two forks. 那条铁路在那里分岔了/向右分出一条支线来/分出两条岔路来。〖同〗divide;

branch off (v adv/prep)(车，路)拐入较小的路(vi & vt)：A dirt path～ed off (from) the main road. 一条土路从大道上岔出来。The red car～ed off to the right.那辆红车拐进右边的岔路。

branch out (v adv)向新的方向发展(vi)：He left the family business and～ed out on his own.他离开了家里的商行自己发展。Starting as a grocer， he～ed out into selling computers.他开始卖日用杂货，后来进而销售计算机。Starting by study history， he～ed out into economics.他开始学历史，后来进而学习经济。

【辨异】 branch与bough都是“树枝”。bough (主枝)是“主树枝”，branch 指从 bough或trunk(树干)上长出的小树枝。