Branch
Branch ({not transcribed}) , noun
[Old English braunche, French branche, from Late Latin branca claw of a bird or beast of prey; compare Armor. brank branch, bough.]
1.
(Botany) A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant.
2.
Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as, the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a branch of a river; a branch of a railway.
Most of the branches, or streams, were dried up.
3.
Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department.
Branches of knowledge.
It is a branch and parcel of mine oath.
4.
(Geometry) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.
5.
A line of family descent, in distinction from some other line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such a line; as, the English branch of a family.
His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock.
6.
(Nautical) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
Collocations (3)
Branches of a bridle , two pieces of bent iron, which bear the bit, the cross chains, and the curb.
Branch herring , See Alewife.
Root and branch , totally, wholly.
Branch ({not transcribed}) , adjective
Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store.
Branch ({not transcribed}) , intransitive verb
1.
To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.
2.
To divide into separate parts or subdivision.
To branch out into a long disputation.
Collocations (2)
To branch off , to form a branch or a separate part; to diverge.
To branch out , to speak diffusively; to extend one's discourse to other topics than the main one; also, to enlarge the scope of one's business, etc.
Branch , transitive verb
1.
To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.
2.
To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.
The train whereof loose far behind her strayed,
Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought.