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Original · left

Branch (tree)

A woody structural division extending outward from the main trunk of a tree.

First in use: ancient / pre-modern
Duplicate · right

Branch (version control)

An independent line of software modification created within a version control repository without affecting the central base.

First in use: the 1970s

Branch / Branch (tree) / Branch (version control)

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Colour keyGrey · original meaningGreen · duplicate meaningAmber · contested (40–60%)How colours work

Tree limbs vs. feature branches.

Which meaning of Branch is the original, and which one is the duplicate riding on its name? Branch (tree) came first (ancient / pre-modern). Branch (version control) arrived in the 1970s. The data below shows which one owns the word now.

Wikipedia pageviews since 2015

Branch (tree)Branch (version control)
English Wikipedia pageviews since July 2015 load here.

Duplicate's share of attention

Green line = duplicate's % · above 60 it owns the word · below 40 the original does

Share-of-attention line loads here.

The case for each meaning

Sourced definitions, usage stats and quotes

Original · ancient / pre-modern

Branch (tree)

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Duplicate · the 1970s

Branch (version control)

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More duplicated terms

Programming & software