[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            most of the branches, or streams, were dried up.
                                                  --w. irving.
      1913 webster

   3. any member or part of a body or system; a distinct
      article; a section or subdivision; a department. "branches
      of knowledge." --prescott.
      1913 webster

            it is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --shak.
      1913 webster

   4. geom. one of the portions of a curve that extends
      outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the
      branches of an hyperbola.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            his father, a younger branch of the ancient stock.
                                                  --carew.
      1913 webster

   6. naut. a warrant or commission given to a pilot,
      authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   syn: bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.
        1913 webster
see also:
branches branches of a bridle branch herring alewife root and branch 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

bridle \bri"dle\, n. oe. bridel, as. bridel; akin to ohg.
   britil, brittil, d. breidel, and possibly to e. braid. cf.
   bridoon.
   1. the head gear with which a horse is governed and
      restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins,
      with other appendages.
      1913 webster

   2. a restraint; a curb; a check. --i. watts.
      1913 webster

   3. gun. the piece in the interior of a gun lock, which
      holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
      1913 webster

   4. naut.
      a a span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends,
          so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached
          to its middle.
      b a mooring hawser.
          1913 webster

   bowline bridle. see under bowline.

   branches of a bridle. see under branch.

   bridle cable naut., a cable which is bent to a bridle.
      see 4, above.

   bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the
      left hand.

   bridle path, bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses
      and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for
      vehicles.

   bridle port naut., a porthole or opening in the bow
      through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are
      passed.

   bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit.

   bridle road.
      a same as bridle path. --lowell.
      b a road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback
          exercise.

   bridle track, a bridle path.

   scolding bridle. see branks, 2.
      1913 webster

   syn: a check; restrain.
        1913 webster
see also:
bridoon bowline bridle bowline branches of a bridle branch bridle cable 
bridle hand bridle path bridle way bridle port bridle rein 
bridle road bridle track scolding bridle branks 

Bridle >> B Words
Bridle, definition of term: Bridle
bridle_pag1.html

Branches >> B Words
Branches, definition of term: Branches
branches_pag1.html