Brake - Bransle

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Brake (brāk), n. [OE. brake; cf. LG. brake an instrument for breaking flax, G. breche, fr. the root of E. break. See Break, v. t., and cf. .] 1. An instrument or machine to break or bruise the woody part of flax or hemp so that it may be separated from the fiber.
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2. An extended handle by means of which a number of men can unite in working a pump, as in a fire engine.
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3. A baker's kneading though. Johnson.
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4. A sharp bit or snaffle.
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Pampered jades . . . which need nor break nor bit. Gascoigne.
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5. A frame for confining a refractory horse while the smith is shoeing him; also, an inclosure to restrain cattle, horses, etc.
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A horse . . . which Philip had bought . . . and because of his fierceness kept him within a brake of iron bars. J. Brende.
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6. That part of a carriage, as of a movable battery, or engine, which enables it to turn.
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7. (Mil.) An ancient engine of war analogous to the crossbow and ballista.
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8. (Agric.) A large, heavy harrow for breaking clods after plowing; a drag.
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9. A piece of mechanism for retarding or stopping motion by friction, as of a carriage or railway car, by the pressure of rubbers against the wheels, or of clogs or ratchets against the track or roadway, or of a pivoted lever against a wheel or drum in a machine.
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10. (Engin.) An apparatus for testing the power of a steam engine, or other motor, by weighing the amount of friction that the motor will overcome; a friction brake.
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11. A cart or carriage without a body, used in breaking in horses.
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12. An ancient instrument of torture. Holinshed.
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Coloq. Air brake . See , in the Vocabulary. -- Coloq. Brake beam or Coloq. Brake bar , the beam that connects the brake blocks of opposite wheels. -- Coloq. Brake block . (a) The part of a brake holding the brake shoe. (b) A brake shoe. -- Coloq. Brake shoe or Coloq. Brake rubber , the part of a brake against which the wheel rubs. -- Coloq. Brake wheel , a wheel on the platform or top of a car by which brakes are operated. -- Coloq. Continuous brake . See under .
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Brakeman (brākm�n), n.; pl. Brakemen (brākm�n).
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1. (Railroads) A man in charge of a brake or brakes.
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2. (Mining) The man in charge of the winding (or hoisting) engine for a mine.
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brakes n. the combination of interacting parts that work to slow a moving vehicle.
Syn. -- brake system.
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Braky (brāk�), a. Full of brakes; abounding with brambles, shrubs, or ferns; rough; thorny.
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In the woods and braky glens. W. Browne.
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braless adj. wearing no brassiere.
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Brama (�), n. See .
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Bramah press (�). A hydrostatic press of immense power, invented by Joseph Bramah of London. See under .
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Bramble (brămb'l), n. [OE. brembil, AS. brēmel, brēmbel, brǣmbel (akin to OHG. brāmal), fr. the same root as E. broom, As. brōm. See .] 1. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Rubus, including the raspberry and blackberry. Hence: Any rough, prickly shrub.
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The thorny brambles, and embracing bushes. Shak.
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2. (Zoöl.) The brambling or bramble finch.
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Bramble bush (bụsh). (Bot.) The bramble, or a collection of brambles growing together.
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He jumped into a bramble bush
And scratched out both his eyes. Mother Goose.
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Brambled (�), a. Overgrown with brambles.
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Forlorn she sits upon the brambled floor. T. Warton.
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Bramble net (�). A net to catch birds.
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Brambling (�), n. [OE. bramline. See , n.] (Zoöl.) The European mountain finch (Fringilla montifringilla); -- called also bramble finch and bramble.
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Brambly (�), a. Pertaining to, resembling, or full of, brambles. “In brambly wildernesses.” Tennyson.
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Brame (�), n. [Cf. .] Sharp passion; vexation. [Obs.]
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Heart-burning brame. Spenser.
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{ Bramin (�), Braminic (�), etc.} See , , etc.
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Bran (�), n. [OE. bren, bran, OF. bren, F. bran, from Celtic; cf. Armor. brenn, Ir. bran, bran, chaff.] 1. The broken coat of the seed of wheat, rye, or other cereal grain, separated from the flour or meal by sifting or bolting; the coarse, chaffy part of ground grain.
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2. (Zoöl.) The European carrion crow.
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Brancard (�), n. [F.] A litter on which a person may be carried. [Obs.] Coigrave.
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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.
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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.
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Most of the branches , or streams, were dried up. W. Irving.
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3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department. “Branches of knowledge.” Prescott.
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It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. Shak.
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4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.
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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.
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His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock. Carew.
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6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
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Coloq. Branches of a bridle , two pieces of bent iron, which bear the bit, the cross chains, and the curb. -- Coloq. Branch herring . See . -- Coloq. Root and branch , totally, wholly.
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Syn. -- Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.
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Branch (�), a. 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.
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Branch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Branched (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Branching.] 1. To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.
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2. To divide into separate parts or subdivision.
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Coloq. To branch off , to form a branch or a separate part; to diverge. -- Coloq. 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.
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To branch out into a long disputation. Spectator.
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Branch, v. t. 1. To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.
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2. To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.
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The train whereof loose far behind her strayed,
Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought. Spenser.
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branched adj. 1. resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches; as, long branched hairs on its legs, on which pollen collects.
Syn. -- bifurcate, biramous, forked, pronged, prongy.
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2. same as , a..
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Brancher (�), n. 1. That which shoots forth branches; one who shows growth in various directions.
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2. (Falconry) A young hawk when it begins to leave the nest and take to the branches.
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Branchery (�), n. A system of branches.
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Branchia (�), n.; pl. Branchiæ (�). [L., fr. Gr. �, pl. of �.] (Anat.) A gill; a respiratory organ for breathing the air contained in water, such as many aquatic and semiaquatic animals have.
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Branchial (�), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to branchiæ or gills.
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Coloq. Branchial arches , the bony or cartilaginous arches which support the gills on each side of the throat of fishes and amphibians. See Illustration in Appendix. -- Coloq. Branchial clefts , the openings between the branchial arches through which water passes.
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Branchiate (�), a. (Anat.) Furnished with branchiæ; as, branchiate segments.
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Branchiferous (�), a. (Anat.) Having gills; branchiate; as, branchiferous gastropods.
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Branchiness (�), n. Fullness of branches.
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Branching, a. Furnished with branches; shooting our branches; extending in a branch or branches.
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Shaded with branching palm. Milton.
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Branching, n. The act or state of separation into branches; division into branches; a division or branch.
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The sciences, with their numerous branchings. L. Watts.
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Branchiogastropoda (�), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. � gill + E. gastropoda.] (Zoöl.) Those Gastropoda that breathe by branchiæ, including the Prosobranchiata and Opisthobranchiata.
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Branchiomerism (�), n. [Gr. � gill + -mere.] (Anat.) The state of being made up of branchiate segments. R. Wiedersheim.
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Branchiopod (�), n. One of the Branchiopoda.
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Branchiopoda (�), n. pl. [Gr. � gill + -poda: cf. F. branchiopode.] (Zoöl.) An order of Entomostraca; -- so named from the feet of branchiopods having been supposed to perform the function of gills. It includes the fresh-water genera Branchipus, Apus, and Limnadia, and the genus Artemia found in salt lakes. It is also called Phyllopoda. See , . It is sometimes used in a broader sense.
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Branchiostegal (�), a. [Gr. � gill + � to cover: cf. F. branchiostège.] (Anat.) Pertaining to the membrane covering the gills of fishes. -- n. (Anat.) A branchiostegal ray. See Illustration of Branchial arches in Appendix.
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☞ This term was formerly applied to a group of fishes having boneless branchiæ. But the arrangement was artificial, and has been rejected.
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Branchiostege (�), (Anat.) The branchiostegal membrane. See Illustration in Appendix.
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Branchiostegous (�), a. (Anat.) Branchiostegal.
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Branchiostoma (�), n. [NL., fr., Gr. � gill + � mouth.] (Zoöl.) The lancelet. See .
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Branchiura (�), n. pl. [NL., fr., Gr. � gill + o'yra tail.] (Zoöl.) A group of Entomostraca, with suctorial mouths, including species parasitic on fishes, as the carp lice (Argulus).
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Branchless (�), a. Destitute of branches or shoots; without any valuable product; barren; naked.
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Branchlet (�), n. [Branch + -let.] A little branch; a twig.
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Branch pilot (�). A pilot who has a branch or commission, as from Trinity House, England, for special navigation.
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Branchy (�), a. Full of branches; having wide-spreading branches; consisting of branches.
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Beneath thy branchy bowers of thickest gloom. J. Scott.
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Brand (�), n. [OE. brand, brond, AS. brand brond brand, sword, from byrnan, beornan, to burn; akin to D., Dan., Sw., & G. brand brand, Icel. brandr a brand, blade of a sword. √32. See , v. t., and cf. .] 1. A burning piece of wood; or a stick or piece of wood partly burnt, whether burning or after the fire is extinct.
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Snatching a live brand from a wigwam, Mason threw it on a matted roof. Palfrey.
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2. A sword, so called from its glittering or flashing brightness. [Poetic] Tennyson.
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Paradise, so late their happy seat,
Waved over by that flaming brand. Milton.
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3. A mark made by burning with a hot iron, as upon a cask, to designate the quality, manufacturer, etc., of the contents, or upon an animal, to designate ownership; -- also, a mark for a similar purpose made in any other way, as with a stencil. Hence, figurately: Quality; kind; grade; as, a good brand of flour.
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4. A mark put upon criminals with a hot iron. Hence: Any mark of infamy or vice; a stigma.
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The brand of private vice. Channing.
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5. An instrument to brand with; a branding iron.
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6. (Bot.) Any minute fungus which produces a burnt appearance in plants. The brands are of many species and several genera of the order Pucciniæi.
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Brand (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Branded; p. pr. & vb. n. Branding.]. 1. To burn a distinctive mark into or upon with a hot iron, to indicate quality, ownership, etc., or to mark as infamous (as a convict).
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2. To put an actual distinctive mark upon in any other way, as with a stencil, to show quality of contents, name of manufacture, etc.
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3. Fig.: To fix a mark of infamy, or a stigma, upon.
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The Inquisition branded its victims with infamy. Prescott.
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There were the enormities, branded and condemned by the first and most natural verdict of common humanity. South.
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4. To mark or impress indelibly, as with a hot iron.
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As if it were branded on my mind. Geo. Eliot.
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Brandenburg (?), n. [So named after Brandenburg, a province and a town of Prussia.] A kind of decoration for the breast of a coat, sometimes only a frog with a loop, but in some military uniforms enlarged into a broad horizontal stripe.
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He wore a coat . . . trimmed with Brandenburgs. Smollett.
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Brander (�), n. 1. One who, or that which, brands; a branding iron.
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2. A gridiron. [Scot.]
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Brand goose (�). [Prob. fr. 1st brand + goose: cf. Sw. brandgås. Cf. .] (Zoöl.) A species of wild goose (Branta bernicla) usually called in America brant. See .
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Brandied (�), a. Mingled with brandy; made stronger by the addition of brandy; flavored or treated with brandy; as, brandied peaches.
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Branding iron (�). An iron to brand with.
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Brand iron. 1. A branding iron.
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2. A trivet to set a pot on. Huloet.
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3. The horizontal bar of an andiron.
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Brandish (�), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brandished (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Brandishing.] [OE. braundisen, F. brandir, fr. brand a sword, fr. OHG. brant brand. See , n.] 1. To move or wave, as a weapon; to raise and move in various directions; to shake or flourish.
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The quivering lance which he brandished bright. Drake.
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2. To play with; to flourish; as, to brandish syllogisms.
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Brandish, n. A flourish, as with a weapon, whip, etc. “Brandishes of the fan.” Tailer.
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Brandisher (�), n. One who brandishes.
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Brandle (�), v. t. & i. [F. brandiller.] To shake; to totter. [Obs.]
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{ Brandling (�), Brandlin (�) }, n. (Zoöl.) Same as , fish and worm.
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Brand-new (�), a. [See , and cf. .] Quite new; bright as if fresh from the forge.
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Brand spore (�). (Bot.) One of several spores growing in a series or chain, and produced by one of the fungi called brand.
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Brandy (�), n.; pl. Brandies (�). [From older brandywine, brandwine, fr. D. brandewijn, fr. p. p. of branden to burn, distill + wijn wine, akin to G. branntwein. See .] A strong alcoholic liquor distilled from wine. The name is also given to spirit distilled from other liquors, and in the United States to that distilled from cider and peaches. In northern Europe, it is also applied to a spirit obtained from grain.
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Coloq. Brandy fruit , fruit preserved in brandy and sugar.
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Brandywine (�), n. Brandy. [Obs.] Wiseman.
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Brangle (�), n. [Prov. E. brangled confused, entangled, Scot. brangle to shake, menace; probably a variant of wrangle, confused with brawl. √95.> ] A wrangle; a squabble; a noisy contest or dispute. [R.]
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A brangle between him and his neighbor. Swift.
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Brangle, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Brangled (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Brangling (�).] To wrangle; to dispute contentiously; to squabble. [R.]
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Branglement (�), n. Wrangle; brangle. [Obs.]
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Brangler (�), n. A quarrelsome person.
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Brangling (�), n. A quarrel. [R.] Whitlock.
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Brank (�), n. [Prov. of Celtic origin; cf. L. brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.] Buckwheat. [Local, Eng.] Halliwell.
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{ Brank, Branks, } n. [Cf. Gael. brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas halter, or D. pranger fetter.] 1. A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Jamieson.
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2. A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame surrounding the head and having a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold.
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Brank, v. i. 1. To hold up and toss the head; -- applied to horses as spurning the bit. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
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2. To prance; to caper. [Scot.] Jamieson.
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Brankursine (�), n. [F. branc-ursine, branch-ursine, fr. LL. branca claw + L. ursinus belonging to a bear (fr. ursus bear), i. e., bear's claw, because its leaves resemble the claws of a bear. Cf. .] (Bot.) Bear's-breech, or Acanthus.
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Branlin (�), n. [Scot. branlie fr. brand.] (Zoöl.) A young salmon or parr, in the stage in which it has transverse black bands, as if burned by a gridiron.
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Branlin, n. [See .] A small red worm or larva, used as bait for small fresh-water fish; -- so called from its red color.
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Bran-new (�), a. See .
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Branny (�), a. Having the appearance of bran; consisting of or containing bran. Wiseman.
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Bransle (�), n. [See a dance.] A brawl or dance. [Obs.] Spenser.
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