Yoke
/joʊk/noun
A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals, typically oxen, for pulling a plow or cart.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, yokes were often used in rituals symbolizing unity and connection, binding not just animals, but also the fates of people together.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yugh
“To join or unite.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ζυγόν (zygon)
“A pair or a yoke; a joining.”
Latin
Latin
jugum
“A yoke or bond; a coupling.”
Old English
Old English
geoc
“A yoke for oxen; a joining apparatus.”
Middle English
Middle English
yok(e)
“A device to bind animals together for work.”
Modern English
English
yoke
“A framework for coupling together two draft animals.”