branch /brɑ:ntʃ/  I. n. ［c］ 1.枝条： He climbed up the tree and hid among the branches. 他爬上树，藏在树枝之间。2.支流，支脉，支路: English is a branch of the Germanic family of languages. 英语是日尔曼语系的一支。3.部门，分支机构：The bank has branches in all parts of the country. 该银行在全国各地均有分行。‖II.vi. 用于短语动词branch out改变，改行：The clothes manufacturer recently branched out into children’s wear. 成衣商最近转向了童装。