branch

Definitions

1. 1.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.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.(Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.
4. 4.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.
5. 5.(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.
6. 6.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.
7. 7.To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.
8. 8.To divide into separate parts or subdivision. 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. To branch out into a long disputation. Spectator.
9. 9.To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.
10. 10.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. Spenser.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "branch" mean?
• What is another word for "branch"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is branch.

• What is 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 called?
• What is one of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola called?
• What is 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 called?
• What is to shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify called?
• What is to divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in called?
• What is 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. Spenser called?