yoke

yoke [yōk]

n.

pl. yokes or yoke [ME yok < OE geoc, akin to Ger joch < IE * yugo- (> Sans yuga, L jungere, jugum, Gr zeugma, Welsh iau, OSlav igo) < base * yeu-, to join]

1. a wooden frame or bar with loops or bows at either end, fitted around the necks of a pair of oxen, etc. for harnessing them together

2. a pair of animals harnessed together [a yoke of oxen]

3.

a) a device symbolizing a yoke, as an arch of spears, under which the conquered were forced to pass in ancient times

b) any mark or symbol of bondage or servitude

c) subjection; bondage; servitude

4. something that binds, unites, or connects [the yoke of matrimony]

5. something like a yoke in shape or function; specif.,

a) a frame fitting over the shoulders for carrying pails, etc., one on either end

b) a clamp, coupling, slotted piece, etc. used to hold two parts together

c) the crosspiece to which the steering cables are attached on a ship's rudder

d) the bar used in double harnessing to connect the horse's collar to the tongue of the wagon or carriage

6. a part of a garment fitted closely to the shoulders, as of a dress, or to the hips, as of a skirt, as a support for gathered parts

7. Elec. a piece of magnetic material, without windings, that permanently connects two or more magnet cores

8. Electronics an assembly of coils and magnetic material placed about the neck of a cathode-ray tube to provide electromagnetic deflection fields for the electron beam

vt.

yoked, yoking

1. to put a yoke on

2. to harness (an animal) to (a plow, etc.)

3.

a) to join together; link

b) to join in marriage

4. Rare to enslave

vi.

to be joined together or closely united

SYN.- PAIR