Word: yoke Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English yoken, yoke, ȝoken (“to put a harness or yoke on a draught animal or pair of such animals, to yoke; to attach (an animal to a cart, plough, etc.) with a yoke; to lock (arms) in wrestling; to bind (oneself or someone) to something”) [and other forms], from Old English ġeocian, iucian, from Old English ġeoc (“yoke”) (see etymology 1) + -ian (suffix forming verbs from adjectives and nouns). Pronunciation: /jəʊk/, /joʊk/ 1. 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. Labels: transitive Example: Bubulcus, […] An oxeheard, or coweheard: a driuer of oxen and kine: he that yoketh oxen, and […] goeth to plowe with them. Example: But when Astrea’s Ballance, hung on high, / Betwixt the Nights and Days divides the Sky, / Then Yoke your Oxen, ſow your Winter Grain; / ’Till cold December comes with driving Rain. 2. 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. Labels: transitive 3. To put (something) around someone's neck like a yoke; also, to surround (someone's neck) with something. Labels: transitive 4. To place a collar on the neck of (a conquered person or prisoner) to restrain movement. Labels: historical, transitive 5. 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. Labels: historical, transitive 6. To bring (two or more people or things) into a close relationship (often one that is undesired); to connect, to link, to unite. Labels: figuratively, transitive Example: Ranchers were yoked together with farmers on the issue. Example: Oh then, my beſt blood turne / To an infected Gelly, and my Name / Be yoak'd with his, that did betray the Beſt: […] 7. To bring into or keep (someone) in bondage or a state of submission; to enslave or subject to confine, to restrain; to oppress, to subjugate. Labels: figuratively, transitive Example: For thys frayltie, that yoketh all mankynde, / Thou shalt awake, and rue this mysereye: / Rue on Syon. Example: It is moſt certaine, that vice putteth on a viſard, and goeth diſguiſed and couered with goodly ſhewes that belong onely to vertue, […] And being thus clothed, with the helpe of corruptible pleaſures that lightly paſſe away, it yoketh baſe minded men, whoſe care is onely ſet vpon the deſire of earthly things, […] 8. To be joined to (another person) in wedlock (often with the implication that it is a burdensome state); to be or become married to (someone). Labels: Scotland, archaic, transitive Example: God ſir be a man, / Thinke euery bearded fellow, that's but yoak'd, / May draw with you, […] Example: Be ye not vnequally yoked with vnbeleeuers: for what fellowſhip hath righteouſneſſe with vnrighteouſneſſe? and what communion hath light with darkneſſe? 9. To be or become connected, linked, or united in a relationship; to have dealings with. Labels: intransitive Example: [I]f you will paſſe / To where you are bound, you muſt enquire your way, / Which you are out of, with a gentler ſpirit, / Or neuer be ſo Noble as a Conſull, / Nor yoake with him for Tribune. Example: And should your greatness, and the care / That yokes with empire, yield you time / To make demand of modern rhyme / If aught of ancient worth be there; […] 10. To be or become joined in wedlock; to be married, to wed. Labels: Scotland, intransitive, obsolete Example: God forbid, that I ſhould wiſh them ſeuer'd, / Whom God hath ioyn'd together: / I, and 'twere pittie, to ſunder them, / That yoake ſo well together. Example: Alt[ea]. Shee would faine marry. / 1. Tis a proper calling, / And well beſeemes her yeares, who would ſhe yoke with?