Yoke vs. Yolk — What's the Difference?

A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs, as oxen usually do; some yokes are fitted to individual animals. There are several types of yoke, used in different cultures, and for different types of oxen.

Among animals which produce eggs, the yolk (; also known as the vitellus) is the nutrient-bearing portion of the egg whose primary function is to supply food for the development of the embryo. Some types of egg contain no yolk, for example because they are laid in situations where the food supply is sufficient (such as in the body of the host of a parasitoid) or because the embryo develops in the parent's body, which supplies the food, usually through a placenta.

A wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull.

The yellow internal part of a bird's egg, which is surrounded by the white, is rich in protein and fat, and nourishes the developing embryo

A part of a garment that fits over the shoulders and to which the main part of the garment is attached

The portion of the egg of egg-laying vertebrates, such as reptiles and birds, and of certain invertebrates that consists chiefly of protein and fat and serves as the primary source of nourishment for the early embryo.

A frame fitting over the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets.

This portion of the egg of a bird, especially a chicken, which is large, yellow, and surrounded by albumen.

The crossbar of a rudder.

A greasy substance found in unprocessed sheep's wool, which is refined to make lanolin.

A control lever in an aircraft.

The yellow, spherical part of an egg that is surrounded by the white albumen, and serves as nutriment for the growing young.

A thing whose name one cannot recall, does not know, or does not wish to specify

The grease in a sheep's fleece; lanolin.

Put a yoke on (a pair of animals); couple or attach with or to a yoke

The yellow part of an egg; the vitellus.

Attack, especially by strangling

An oily secretion which naturally covers the wool of sheep.

A contoured crossbar having two U-shaped attachments that fit around the necks of a team of oxen or other draft animals, with a central ring for hitching the team to a cart, plow, or other load.

Nutritive material of an ovum stored for the nutrition of an embryo (especially the yellow mass of a bird or reptile egg)

Pl. yoke or yokes A pair of draft animals, such as oxen, joined by a yoke.

A bar used with a double harness to connect the collar of each horse to the pole of a wagon or coach.

A frame designed to be carried across a person's shoulders with equal loads suspended from each end.

(Nautical) A crossbar on a ship's rudder to which the steering cables are connected.

A clamp or vise that holds a machine part in place or controls its movement or that holds two such parts together.

A piece of a garment that is closely fitted, either around the neck and shoulders or at the hips, and from which an unfitted or gathered part of the garment is hung.

Something that connects or joins together; a bond or tie.

(Electronics) A series of two or more magnetic recording heads fastened securely together for playing or recording on more than one track simultaneously.

Any of various emblems of subjugation, such as a structure made of two upright spears with a third laid across them, under which conquered enemies of ancient Rome were forced to march in subjection.

The condition of being subjugated by or as if by a conqueror; subjugation or bondage

To fit or join with a yoke.

To harness a draft animal to.

To harness (a draft animal) to a vehicle or an implement.

To join together; bind

To force into heavy labor, bondage, or subjugation.

To become joined.

Senses relating to a frame around the neck.

A bar or frame by which two oxen or other draught animals are joined at their necks enabling them to pull a cart, plough, etc.; (by extension) a device attached to a single draught animal for the same purpose.

Any of various linking or supporting objects that resembles a yoke (sense 1.1); a crosspiece, a curved bar, etc.

(historical)

Senses relating to a pair of harnessed draught animals.

A pair of draught animals, especially oxen, yoked together to pull something.

(archaic) A pair of things linked in some way.

A carriage, a horse and cart; a car or other vehicle.

A miscellaneous object; a gadget.

A chap, a fellow.

A pill of a psychoactive drug.

Senses relating to quantities, and other extended uses.

An area of arable land, specifically one consisting of a quarter of a suling, or around 50–60 acres (20–24 hectares); hence, a small manor or piece of land.

An amount of work done with draught animals, lasting about half a day; (by extension) an amount or shift of any work.

(figuratively)

Misspelling of yolk

(transitive)

To join (several draught animals) together with a yoke; also, to fasten a yoke (on one or more draught animals) to pull a cart, plough, etc.; or to attach (a cart, plough, etc.) to a draught animal.

To put (one's arm or arms) around someone's neck, waist, etc.; also, to surround (someone's neck, waist, etc.) with one's arms.

To put (something) around someone's neck like a yoke; also, to surround (someone's neck) with something.

(historical)

(figuratively)

To be joined to (another person) in wedlock (often with the implication that it is a burdensome state); to be or become married to (someone).

(intransitive)

To be or become connected, linked, or united in a relationship; to have dealings with.

To be or become joined in wedlock; to be married, to wed.

A bar or frame of wood by which two oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together.

A frame or piece resembling a yoke, as in use or shape.

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

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

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

The quantity of land plowed in a day by a yoke of oxen.

A portion of the working day; as, to work two yokes, that is, to work both portions of the day, or morning and afternoon.

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.

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

To couple; to join with another.

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

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

Fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment

An oppresssive power;

Two items of the same kind

A pair of draft animals joined by a yoke;

Support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end

A connection (like a clamp or vise) between two things so they move together

Stable gear that joins two draft animals at the neck so they can work together as a team

Become joined or linked together

Link with or as with a yoke;

Put a yoke on or join with a yoke;