bough
UK[baʊ]US[baʊ]
n
a main branch of a tree
Etymology
the word "bough" descends directly from the old english "bōg," "bōh," meaning shoulder, arm, or bough of a tree. this old english term has germanic roots, tracing back to the proto-germanic "bōguz," which carried the dual meanings of shoulder and the limb of a tree. this semantic connection between a human arm and a tree branch is a common metaphorical pattern in indo-european languages, seen also in the latin "bracchium" (arm) giving us "brace" and "bracelet." over time, the meaning specialized in english to refer exclusively to a large tree branch, while its original sense relating to the human body faded from use.
Analysis
this is a simplex word of old english origin. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller morphemes within modern english spelling.
Examples
the owl perched on a sturdy bough of the oak tree.
the weight of the snow caused the bough to bend low.
they hung the swing from the thickest bough they could find.