yoke
yoke Lexical Profile
yoke Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An oppressive agency, burden, or force that severely restricts freedom.
"The citizens finally rebelled, eager to throw off the yoke of foreign imperialism."
A wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals, such as oxen, to attach them to a plow or cart.
"The farmer placed the heavy wooden yoke across the oxen before tilling the field."
A shaped piece of fabric fitted around the neck and shoulders of a garment, from which the rest of the fabric hangs.
"The vintage dress featured a delicate lace yoke adorned with small pearls."
• verb
To attach a wooden crosspiece to a pair of draft animals so they can pull a load.
"They had to yoke the horses together before the heavy wagon could be moved."
To join, link, or unite together securely.
"The treaty was designed to yoke the two nations in a mutually beneficial economic alliance."
Word Nuance & Usage
Care should be taken not to confuse 'yoke' (a wooden collar for animals or a burden) with its homophone 'yolk' (the yellow part of an egg).
• Rhymes for yoke
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'geoc', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'juk' and German 'Joch', deriving from an Indo-European root shared by Latin 'iugum' and Greek 'zugon' (to join).