Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Yoke \Yoke\ (y[=o]k), n. [OE. yok, [yogh]oc, AS. geoc; akin to
   D. juk, OHG. joh, G. joch, Icel. & Sw. ok, Dan. aag, Goth.
   juk, Lith. jungas, Russ. igo, L. jugum, Gr. zy`gon, Skr.
   yuga, and to L. jungere to join, Gr. ?, Skr. yui. [root]109,
   280. Cf. {Join}, {Jougs}, {Joust}, {Jugular}, {Subjugate},
   {Syzygy}, {Yuga}, {Zeugma}.]
   1. A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the
      heads or necks for working together.

            A yearling bullock to thy name shall smoke, Untamed,
            unconscious of the galling yoke.      --Pope.

   Note: The modern yoke for oxen is usually a piece of timber
         hollowed, or made curving, near each end, and laid on
         the necks of the oxen, being secured in place by two
         bows, one inclosing each neck, and fastened through the
         timber. In some countries the yoke consists of a flat
         piece of wood fastened to the foreheads of the oxen by
         thongs about the horns.

   2. A frame or piece resembling a yoke, as in use or shape.
      Specifically:
      (a) A frame of wood fitted to a person's shoulders for
          carrying pails, etc., suspended on each side; as, a
          milkmaid's yoke.
      (b) A frame worn on the neck of an animal, as a cow, a
          pig, a goose, to prevent passage through a fence.
      (c) A frame or convex piece by which a bell is hung for
          ringing it. See Illust. of {Bell}.
      (d) A crosspiece upon the head of a boat's rudder. To its
          ends lines are attached which lead forward so that the
          boat can be steered from amidships.
      (e) (Mach.) A bent crosspiece connecting two other parts.
      (f) (Arch.) A tie securing two timbers together, not used
          for part of a regular truss, but serving a temporary
          purpose, as to provide against unusual strain.
      (g) (Dressmaking) A band shaped to fit the shoulders or
          the hips, and joined to the upper full edge of the
          waist or the skirt.

   3. Fig.: That which connects or binds; a chain; a link; a
      bond connection.

            Boweth your neck under that blissful yoke . . .
            Which that men clepeth spousal or wedlock.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            This yoke of marriage from us both remove. --Dryden.

   4. A mark of servitude; hence, servitude; slavery; bondage;
      service.

            Our country sinks beneath the yoke.   --Shak.

            My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. --Matt. xi.
                                                  30.

   5. Two animals yoked together; a couple; a pair that work
      together.

            I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove
            them.                                 --Luke xiv.
                                                  19.

   6. The quantity of land plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen.
      [Obs.] --Gardner.

   7. A portion of the working day; as, to work two yokes, that
      is, to work both portions of the day, or morning and
      afternoon. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.

   {Neck yoke}, {Pig yoke}. See under {Neck}, and {Pig}.

   {Yoke elm} (Bot.), the European hornbeam ({Carpinus
      Betulus}), a small tree with tough white wood, often used
      for making yokes for cattle.

Source : WordNet®

Carpinus betulus
     n : medium-sized Old World tree with smooth gray bark and leaves
         like beech that turn yellow-orange in autumn [syn: {European
         hornbeam}]