branch: n. & v. --n. 1 a limb extending from a tree or bough. 2 a lateral extension or subdivision, esp. of a river, road, or railway. 3 a conceptual extension or subdivision, as of a family, knowledge, etc. 4 a local division or office etc. of a large business, as of a bank, library, etc. --v.intr. (often foll. by off) 1 diverge from the main part. 2 divide into branches. øbranch out extend one's field of interest. øøbranched adj. branchlet n. branchlike adj. branchy adj. [ME f. OF branche f. LL branca paw]