[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/bough/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [B](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/b/) / bough # bough noun (a bough, boughs) «bough» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. A bough is a large, main branch of a tree. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#m1) 2. It is a slightly old-fashioned or poetic word; in everyday talk people usually say «branch». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#m2) ### In the lessons In stories, poems, songs and nursery rhymes, boughs appear often, as in «Rock-a-bye Baby» where «the bough breaks». In science lessons, boughs are the big branches growing out of the trunk. Phrases: «the bough breaks», «boughs of holly», «under the boughs». ### Examples - The children sat in the shade under the boughs of the oak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x1) - When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x2) - Snow weighed down the boughs of the pine trees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x3) - «Deck the halls with boughs of holly» is a Christmas carol. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x4) - A heavy bough fell in the storm and blocked the lane. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x5) - Birds built a nest on the highest bough. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x6) - Rotten twigs and dry boughs are they all.” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/#x7) ### Note Countable noun: a bough, boughs. Pronounced «BOW» to rhyme with «cow» and «now». Homophone trap: «bow» (bend at the waist) sounds the same, but «bow» (for arrows, or a ribbon) rhymes with «go». Do not confuse with «bought» or «cough», which have the same letters «ough» but different sounds. ## In Jewish tradition Interpretation: The Torah names boughs of thick trees as part of the four kinds waved at Sukkot. Tradition says the myrtle is the "bough of a thick tree". In Psalms, boughs are used in a festival procession up to the altar, and Job and the psalmist use them as a picture of growth and shelter. In the primary lessons: In stories, poems, songs and nursery rhymes, boughs appear often, as in «Rock-a-bye Baby» where «the bough breaks». In science lessons, boughs are the big branches growing out of the trunk. Phrases: «the bough breaks», «boughs of holly», «under the boughs». ### Examples - When thou beatest thine olive-tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. (Torah DEU.24.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/bough/#x1) - And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. (Torah LEV.23.40, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/bough/#x2) - Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant. (Writings JOB.14.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/bough/#x3) - The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, and the mighty cedars with the boughs thereof. (Writings PSA.80.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/bough/#x4) - The LORD is God, and hath given us light; order the festival procession with boughs, even unto the horns of the altar. (Writings PSA.118.27, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/bough/#x5) ### Note Countable noun: a bough, boughs. Pronounced «BOW» to rhyme with «cow» and «now». Homophone trap: «bow» (bend at the waist) sounds the same, but «bow» (for arrows, or a ribbon) rhymes with «go». Do not confuse with «bought» or «cough», which have the same letters «ough» but different sounds. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «bough» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bough/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«bough» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/bough.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «bough» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/bough/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«bough» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/bough.html) on Mova free.