branch point

noun

1. Electricity. a point in an electric network at which three or more conductors meet.
2. Mathematics. a point such that analytic continuation of a given function of a complex variable in a small neighborhood of the point produces a different functional value at the point.

Word History and Origins

Origin of branch point¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

At a branch point, different DNA patterns of the tracks steer dyneins carrying orange fluorescent cargo to the left and dyneins carrying cyan fluorescent compounds to the right.

From Science Magazine

Andrew Howard, a Caltech professor who worked with Mr. Fulton, compared this splitting of small planets into two populations to discovering a major branch point in the tree of life.

From New York Times

If 1 percent of civilizations can survive technological adolescence, take the proper fork at this critical historical branch point and achieve maturity, then fL — 1/100, N — 107, and the number of extant civilizations in the Galaxy is in the millions.

From Literature

And on our small planet, this moment in history is a historical branch point as profound as the confrontation of the Ionian scientists with the mystics 2,500 years ago.

From Literature

“From an executive branch point of view, it’s the most imaginative, sophisticated thinking we’ve seen in 30 years when it comes to business development,” Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, said Friday.

From Washington Times