Added 6 October 2026
yoke
/jəʊk/ noun
In Latin: iugum Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about yoke at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Senses relating to a frame around the neck. A bar or frame by which two oxen or other draught animals are joined at their necks enabling them to pull a cart, plough, etc.; two draught animals connected by such a yoke; a device attached to a single draught animal for the same purpose. Any of various linking or supporting objects that resembles a yoke (sense 1.1); a crosspiece, a curved bar, etc. A pole carried on the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying a pair of buckets, etc., one at each end of the pole; a carrying pole. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
- A bar or frame by which two oxen or other draught animals are joined at their necks enabling them to pull a cart, plough, etc.; two draught animals connected by such a yoke; a device attached to a single draught animal for the same purpose.
- Any of various linking or supporting objects that resembles a yoke (sense 1.1); a crosspiece, a curved bar, etc. A pole carried on the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying a pair of buckets, etc., one at each end of the pole; a carrying pole. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
verb
-
To join (several draught animals) together with a yoke; also, to fasten a yoke (on one or more draught animals) to pull a cart, plough, etc.; or to attach (a cart, plough, etc.) to a draught animal. To put (one's arm or arms) around someone's neck, waist, etc.; also, to surround (someone's neck, waist, etc.) with one's arms. To put (something) around someone's neck like a yoke; also, to surround (someone's neck) with something. To place a collar on the neck of (a conquered person or prisoner) to restrain movement. To place a frame on the neck of (an animal such as a cow, pig, or goose) to prevent passage through a fence or other barrier. To bring (two or more people or things) into a close relationship (often one that is undesired); to connect, to link, to unite.
Ranchers were yoked together with farmers on the issue.
- To join (several draught animals) together with a yoke; also, to fasten a yoke (on one or more draught animals) to pull a cart, plough, etc.; or to attach (a cart, plough, etc.) to a draught animal.
- To put (one's arm or arms) around someone's neck, waist, etc.; also, to surround (someone's neck, waist, etc.) with one's arms.
noun
- Misspelling of yolk.
Origin
From Middle English iuc, jok, yok, yoke, ȝok, ȝook, from Old English ġeoc, ġioc, ioc (“yoke”), from Proto-West Germanic *juk, from Proto-Germanic *juką (“yoke”), from Proto-Indo-European *yugóm (“yoke”), from *yewg- (“to join, yoke”). Doublet of yuga, jugum, yoga and possibly yogh. Senses 3.1 (“area of arable land”) and 3.2 (“amount of work done with draught animals”) probably referred to the area of land that could generally be ploughed by yoked draught animals within a given time.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)