(一般作 ramifications)a consequence of an action or event, especially when complex or unwelcome 衍生结果,派生影响;后果 any change is bound to have legal ramifications. 任何变化必然会带来法律后果。 ■a subdivision of a complex structure or process perceived as comparable to a tree's branches (复杂结构或过程的)分支,分叉;支流 an extended family with its ramifications of neighbouring inlaws. 包括近旁分支姻亲的大家族。 ■[mass noun](formal or technical)the action or state of ramifying or being ramified (正式或技)分枝(或分支)形成;分枝(或分支)排列
语源
mid 17th cent.: from French, from ramifier form branches (see ramify)