yoke
Pronunciation: (yōk), [key]
— n., pl. v., yokes yoke yoked, yok•ing.
—n.
- a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, esp. oxen, usually consisting of a crosspiece with two bow-shaped pieces, each enclosing the head of an animal. Cf.(def. 1).
- a pair of draft animals fastened together by a yoke: five yoke of oxen.
- something resembling a yoke or a bow of a yoke in form or use.
- a frame fitting the neck and shoulders of a person, for carrying a pair of buckets or the like, one at each end.
- an agency of oppression, subjection, servitude, etc.
- an emblem or symbol of subjection, servitude, slavery, etc., as an archway under which prisoners of war were compelled to pass by the ancient Romans and others.
- something that couples or binds together; a bond or tie.
- a viselike piece gripping two parts firmly together.
- Also calleda forklike termination for a rod or shaft, inside which another part is secured.
- a fitting for the neck of a draft animal for suspending the tongue of a cart, carriage, etc., from a harness.
- a crosshead attached to the upper piston of an opposed-piston engine with rods to transmit power to the crankshaft.
- (in an airplane) a double handle, somewhat like a steering wheel in form, by which the elevators are controlled.
- a crossbar on the head of the rudder of a small boat, having lines or chains attached to the ends so as to permit the steering of the boat from forward.
- See
- a shaped piece in a garment, fitted about or below the neck and shoulders or about the hips, from which the rest of the garment hangs.
- a horizontal piece forming the top of a window frame. See diag. under
- a-shaped piece connecting branch pipes with a main soil pipe.
- an electromagnetic assembly placed around the neck of a cathode-ray tube to produce and control the scanning motion of electron beams inside the tube.
- (esp. in Kent)
- the time during which a plowman and team work without stopping; a period of plowing.
- a measure or area of land equal to over 50 but less than 60 acres.
- a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter Y.
—v.t.
- to put a yoke on; join or couple by means of a yoke.
- to attach (a draft animal) to a plow or vehicle: to yoke oxen.
- to harness a draft animal to (a plow or vehicle): to yoke a wagon.
- to join, couple, link, or unite.
- to bring into subjection or servitude.
—v.i.
- to be or become joined, linked, or united.
yoke
Pronunciation: (yōk), [key]
— n.
- yolk.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.