Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - join

 I. verb  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ~dre, from Latin jungere — more at yoke  Date: 13th century  transitive verb  1.  a. to put or bring together so as to form a unit ~ two blocks of wood with glue  b. to connect (as points) by a line  c. ad~  2. to put or bring into close association or relationship ~ed in marriage  3. to engage in (battle)  4.  a. to come into the company of ~ed us for lunch  b. to associate oneself with ~ed the church  intransitive verb  1.  a. to come together so as to be connected nouns ~ to form compounds  b. ad~ the two estates ~  2. to come into close association or relationship: as  a. to form an alliance  b. to become a member of a group  c. to take part in a collective activity ~ in singing  • ~able adjective Synonyms:  ~, combine, unite, connect, link, associate, relate mean to bring or come together into some manner of union. ~ implies a bringing into contact or conjunction of any degree of closeness ~ed forces in an effort to win. combine implies some merging or mingling with corresponding loss of identity of each unit combined jazz and rock to create a new music. unite implies somewhat greater loss of separate identity the colonies united to form a republic. connect suggests a loose or external attachment with little or no loss of identity a mutual defense treaty connected the two nations. link may imply strong connection or inseparability of elements still retaining identity a name forever linked with liberty. associate stresses the mere fact of frequent occurrence or existence together in space or in logical relation opera is popularly associated with high society. relate suggests the existence of a real or presumed logical connection related what he observed to what he already knew.  II. noun  Date: 1884  1. ~t  2. union 2d