yoke

What does “yoke” mean?

verb.a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull; something that is regarded as oppressive or restrictive.

SAT Usage

this verb is often used in contexts discussing labor, oppression, or the constraints of societal roles. It emphasizes the burden of being burdened or controlled, suggesting a loss of freedom or autonomy, which can differ from similar terms like "bind," that may not carry the same connotation of partnership or shared struggle.

Common Confusions

Yoke implies a burdensome partnership or shared struggle under oppression, while bind usually suggests a simple act of fastening without the same connotation of shared labor or constraint.

Example Sentences

• The oppressive regime kept citizens under a heavy yoke of control.

• The farmer placed the yoke on the oxen, preparing them for a long day of plowing the fields under the hot sun.