[{"Bold_text": "noun", "List Items": ["a division or subdivision of the stem or axis of a tree, shrub, or other plant.Synonyms: shoot , offshoot", "a limb, offshoot, or ramification of any main stem:the branches of a deer's antlers.", "any member or part of a body or system; a section or subdivision:the various branches of learning.", "a local operating division of a business, library, or the like.", "a line of family descent stemming from a particular ancestor, as distinguished from some other line or lines from the same stock; a division of a family.", "a tributary stream or any stream that is not a large river or a bayou.", "Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S. branch water(def2) branch water(def2).", "Linguistics.(in the classification of related languages within a family) a category of a lower order than a subfamily and of a higher order than a subbranch a group, as the Germanic branch of Indo-European.Compare group(def4a) group(def4a).", "Computers.a point in a computer program where the computer selects one of two or more instructions to execute, according to some criterion.", "Nautical.a warrant or license permitting a pilot to navigate in certain waters."]}, {"Bold_text": "verb (used without object)", "List Items": ["to put forth branches; spread in branches.", "to divide into separate parts or subdivisions; diverge:The main road branches off to the left.Synonyms: subdivide , ramify", "to expand or extend, as business activities:The bank has plans to branch throughout the state."]}, {"Bold_text": "verb (used with object)", "List Items": ["to divide into branches or sections.", "to adorn with needlework; decorate with embroidery, as in textile fabrics."]}, {"Bold_text": "verb phrase", "List Items": ["to expand or extend, as business activities, pursuits, interests, etc.:The business is branching out into computers."]}, {"Bold_text": null, "List Items": ["a combining form for nouns and adjectives that denote gill formations or animals having gill formations."]}]