1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Branch  \Branch\,  n.;  pl  {Branches}.  [OE.  braunche  F.  branche, 
  fr  LL  branca  claw  of  a  bird  or  beast  of  prey;  cf  Armor. 
  brank  branch,  bough.] 
  1.  (Bot.)  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 
  --W.  Irving. 
 
  3.  Any  member  or  part  of  a  body  or  system;  a  distinct 
  article;  a  section  or  subdivision;  a  department. 
  ``Branches  of  knowledge.''  --Prescott. 
 
  It  is  a  branch  and  parcel  of  mine  oath.  --Shak. 
 
  4.  (Geom.)  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. 
  --Carew. 
 
  6.  (Naut.)  A  warrant  or  commission  given  to  a  pilot, 
  authorizing  him  to  pilot  vessels  in  certain  waters. 
 
  {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. 
 
  Syn:  Bough;  limb;  shoot;  offshoot;  twig;  sprig. 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words