yoke

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [C] a long piece of wood that is fastened across the necks of two animals, especially OXEN, so that they can pull heavy loads 2 [sing.] (literary or formal) harsh treatment or sth that restricts your freedom and makes your life very difficult to bear: the yoke of imperialism * Young people often chafe under the yoke of parental control. 3 [C] a piece of wood that is shaped to fit across a person's shoulders so that they can carry two equal loads 4 [C] a part of a dress, skirt, etc. that fits around the shoulders or hips and from which the rest of the fabric hangs verb [VN] 1 to join two animals together with a yoke: A pair of oxen, yoked together, was used. * an ox yoked to a plough 2 [usuallypassive] (formal) to bring two people, countries, ideas, etc. together so that they are forced into a close relationship: The Hong Kong dollar was yoked to the American dollar for many years.