Definition of yoke

• n. - A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.
• n. - A frame or piece resembling a yoke, as in use or shape.
• n. - A frame of wood fitted to a person's shoulders for carrying pails, etc., suspended on each side; as, a milkmaid's yoke.
• n. - A frame worn on the neck of an animal, as a cow, a pig, a goose, to prevent passage through a fence.
• n. - A frame or convex piece by which a bell is hung for ringing it. See Illust. of Bell.
• n. - A crosspiece upon the head of a boat's rudder. To its ends lines are attached which lead forward so that the boat can be steered from amidships.
• n. - A bent crosspiece connecting two other parts.
• n. - A tie securing two timbers together, not used for part of a regular truss, but serving a temporary purpose, as to provide against unusual strain.
• n. - A band shaped to fit the shoulders or the hips, and joined to the upper full edge of the waist or the skirt.
• n. - Fig.: That which connects or binds; a chain; a link; a bond connection.
• n. - A mark of servitude; hence, servitude; slavery; bondage; service.
• n. - Two animals yoked together; a couple; a pair that work together.
• n. - The quantity of land plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen.
• n. - A portion of the working day; as, to work two yokes, that is, to work both portions of the day, or morning and afternoon.
• v. t. - To put a yoke on; to join in or with a yoke; as, to yoke oxen, or pair of oxen.
• v. t. - To couple; to join with another.
• v. t. - To enslave; to bring into bondage; to restrain; to confine.
• v. i. - To be joined or associated; to be intimately connected; to consort closely; to mate.