ramification
UK /ɹæmɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ · US /ˌɹæməfəˈkeɪʃən/ noun
Forms ramifications
- noun (botany, anatomy, also figurative) A branching-out, the act or result of developing branches; specifically the divergence of the stem and limbs of a plant into smaller ones, or of similar developments in blood vessels, anatomical structures etc.
- noun (figurative, often in the plural) An offshoot of a decision, fact etc.; a consequence or implication, especially one which complicates a situation.
- noun (mathematics) An arrangement of branches.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle French ramification, or its source, Medieval Latin rāmificātiō. By surface analysis, ramify + -ication.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The process of branching, or the development or offshoots from a stem; also, the mode of their arrangement.
- noun A small branch or offshoot proceeding from a main stock or channel; as, the ramifications of an artery, vein, or nerve.
Etymology [Cf. F. ramification. See Ramify.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “ramification”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details