join

I. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French joindre, from Latin jungere — more at yoke Date: 13th century transitive verb 1. a. to put or bring together so as to form a unit <

join two blocks of wood with glue

> b. to connect (as points) by a line c. adjoin 2. to put or bring into close association or relationship <

joined in marriage

> 3. to engage in (battle) 4. a. to come into the company of <

joined us for lunch

> b. to associate oneself with <

joined the church

> intransitive verb 1. a. to come together so as to be connected <

nouns join to form compounds

> b. adjoin <

the two estates join

> 2. to come into close association or relationship: as a. to form an alliance b. to become a member of a group c. to take part in a collective activity <

join in singing

> • joinable adjective Synonyms: join, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union. join implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness <

joined forces in an effort to win

>. combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit <

combined jazz and rock to create a new music

>. unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity <

the colonies united to form a republic

>. connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity <

a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations

>. link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity <

a name forever linked with liberty

>. associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation <

opera is popularly associated with high society

>. relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection <

related what he observed to what he already knew

>. II. noun Date: 1884 1. joint 2. union 2d