NYT Dictionary

BOUGH

/ˈbaʊ̯/
NounBOUGHbough · 1 syllableGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2020, 2021, 2023

Meaning

A tree-branch, usually a primary one directly attached to the trunk.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

PIE word *bʰeh₂ǵʰús From Middle English bough (“branch of a bush or tree, especially a main branch; limb of an animal or person; something resembling a branch (such as a plant root or branch of a nerve); (figuratively) Christian cross; descendant, offspring”) [and other forms], from Old English bōg, bōh (“tree bough or branch; arm; shoulder”), from Proto-West Germanic *bōgu, from Proto-Germanic *bōguz (“shoulder; upper arm”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂ǵʰús (“arm”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Bouch, West Frisian boech, Dutch boeg, German Low German Boog, German Bug, Danish bov, Icelandic bógur, and distantly with Ancient Greek πῆχυς (pêkhus, “forearm, cubit, etc.”). Doublet of bow ("front of a ship, prow").

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

appendagearmbinebranchbranchednessbranchinessburgeondeadwoodflagellumfork

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle:

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