Yoke /(yōk)/

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.

2. A frame or piece resembling a yoke, as in use or shape. (Mach.)
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.

   This yoke of marriage from us both remove.

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

   Our country sinks beneath the yoke.

   My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

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.

6. The quantity of land plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen. [Obs.]
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.]
8. A clamp or similar piece that embraces two other parts to hold or unite them in their respective or relative positions, as a strap connecting a slide valve to the valve stem, or the soft iron block or bar permanently connecting the pole pieces of an electromagnet, as in a dynamo. (Chiefly Mach.)

imp. & p. p. Yoked; p. pr. & vb. n. Yoking

1. To put a yoke on; to join in or with a yoke; as, to yoke oxen, or pair of oxen.
2. To couple; to join with another.

   Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb.

3. To enslave; to bring into bondage; to restrain; to confine.

   Then were they yoked with garrisons.

   The words and promises that yoke The conqueror are quickly broke.

1. To be joined or associated; to be intimately connected; to consort closely; to mate.

   We 'll yoke together, like a double shadow.