Abzweige

Abzweige is a German noun describing points where a main line, route, or entity splits into two or more branches. The term is commonly used for both natural and man-made systems. It is the plural form of Abzweig, formed with the prefix ab- meaning away and Zweig meaning branch.

In transportation and infrastructure, an Abzweig denotes a junction where a branch line diverges from the main line, with associated track layouts, signals, and, in some cases, a named Abzweigstelle. In road networks, a road Abzweig is a turnoff or spur where traffic leaves a main road to access side streets.

In electrical engineering, an Abzweig is a branch connection off a feeder, with related components such as Abzweigklemmen (branching terminals) that connect cables or conductors.

In hydrology or geography, Abzweig can refer to a fork in a river or stream; in maps and discourse, terms like Gabelung or Verzweigung are also used. The term Abzweige tends to emphasize the existence of multiple branches, while Abzweigung or Verzweigung are often preferred for the act or process of branching.

Overall, Abzweige functions as a generic label for bifurcations where a primary path splits into secondary paths, spanning technical, geographic, and everyday contexts in German usage.