ramify

Verb

ramify (third-person singular simple present ramifies, present participle ramifying, simple past and past participle ramified)

1. (ambitransitive) To divide into branches or subdivisions.
   • The cortical, hemispheral or superficial veins ramify on the surface of the brain and return the blood from the cortical substance into the venous sinuses.1893, Henry Morris, Human Anatomy, page 648

   Synonyms:

   branch

2. (figuratively) To spread or diversify into multiple fields or categories.
   • to ramify an art, subject, scheme
   • And, of course, on such momentous occasions as these, Manning was in his element. None knew those difficult ropes better than he; none used them with a more serviceable and yet discreet alacrity. In every juncture he had the right word, or the right silence; his influence ramified in all...1918 May 9, Lytton Strachey, “[Cardinal Manning.] Chapter VII”, in Eminent Victorians: Cardinal Manning, Florence Nightingale, Dr. Arnold, General Gordon (Library of English Literature; LEL 11347)...