Branch — Defs

01 n. A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant.

pl. Branches

1.
A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant.(Bot.)
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.
“It is a branch and parcel of mine oath.” — Shak.
4.
One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.(Geom.)
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.
A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.(Naut.)

Phrases & compounds

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.

02 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.

1.
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.

03 v. i. To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.

imp. & p. p. Branched; p. pr. & vb. n. Branching

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.” — Spectator.

Phrases & compounds

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.

04 v. t. To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.

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.” — Spenser.