词典释义：
a part of a tree which grows out from the trunk or from a bough
树枝；分枝，枝。
a lateral extension or subdivision extending from the main part of something, typically one extending from a river, road, or railway
（尤指河流的）支流；（公路或铁路的）支路，支线。
a division or office of a large business or organization, operating locally or having a particular function
（企业或机构的）分部，分行，分号
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he went to work at our Birmingham branch .他去我们的伯明翰分部工作了。
a conceptual subdivision of something, especially a family, group of languages, or a subject
（尤指家族的）分支；（语言的）分支，语支；（学科的）分科
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a branch of mathematics called graph theory .一个称为图论的数学分科。
(of a road or path)divide into one or more subdivisions
（道路）分岔，分叉
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follow this track south until it branches into two .沿这条小路往南直到岔道口。
(of a tree or plant)bear or send out branches
（树，植物）出枝
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[as adj.
branched ]the common sea lavender can be identified by its branched stem. 可从抽了枝的茎干辨认普通海生薰衣草。
(
分叉
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the road branched off at the market town .这条路在集镇那儿分了叉。
(
扩大活动（或兴趣）范围
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the company is branching out into Europe .该公司正把业务扩展到欧洲。
" Middle English： from Old French branche, from late Latin branca paw．"
