Forms: 3 bransch, 3–6 brance, 4 bronch, 4–6 braunche, 4–7 branche, braunch, 5 brawnche, 3– branch. [a. F. branche branch:—late L. branca paw of an animal.]
I. A material offshoot.
1. A portion or limb of a tree or other plant growing out of the stem or trunk, or out of one of the boughs; in a more specific sense, a branch is understood to be smaller than a bough and larger than a shoot or spray.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1321. He … sau … a mekil tre, Wid branchis fele of barc al bare.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 487. A bronch of olyue.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 2681. Sche quakyth As doth the braunche that sepherus shakyth.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. vi. 29. As the sprai cometh out of the braunche, the braunche out of the bouȝ.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech., 82. A stark brance of ane Aik tree.
1667. Milton, P. L., VII. 433. From Branch to Branch the smaller Birds with song Solac’d the Woods.
1704. Pope, Autumn, 75. Now golden fruits on loaded branches shine.
1873. Morley, Rousseau, I. 169. To construct hovels of branches and clay.
2. transf. Anything analogous to a limb of a tree, in being a lateral extension or subdivision of a main trunk; e.g., of a mountain range, a river, a road or railway, an artery or vein, etc.
1297. R. Glouc., 152. Þe oþer hadde sene branches … And toward þe Yrische see … þei drowe.
1603. R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw., 221. Therein are saide to be three and twenty braunches of the mount Atlas.
1696. Whiston, Th. Earth, II. 104. Tho’ the particular place … be now under Water, and a Branch or Bay of the Great Ocean.
1787. Winter, Syst. Husb., 99. The branches, or smaller drains are from twenty to forty, or fifty feet a-part.
1831. R. Knox, Cloquet’s Anat., 644. From the aorta therefore arise secondary trunks, branches, twigs and ramuscules in great number.
1862. Stanley, Jew. Ch. (1877), I. xiv. 276. The vast army fled far through the eastern branch of the plain.
1874. Boutell, Arms & Arm., ix. 173. From these guards curved branches proceed … to the pommel.
1878. F. Williams, Midl. Railw., 359. It is a branch of the Great Northern.
b. U.S. spec. A small stream or brook.
1835. W. Irving, Tour Prairies, 188. Most of the ‘branches,’ or streams, were dried up. Ibid., 307. In ‘branch’ or brook water.
c. One of the subdivisions of a deer’s horn; a ‘start,’ antler or shoot; transf. a horn anciently worn as part of a woman’s head-dress.
1485. Bk. St. Albans, E. iiij. Too braunchis first pawmyd he most haue.
1598. Manwood, Lawes Forest, iv. § 6 (1615), 46. In a Bucke they say [of the antlers], Bur, Beame, Braunch, Aduancers, Palme, and Spellers.
1661. Lovell, Hist. Anim. & Min. The horns are only on the Males, and have 6 or 7 branches.
1847. Tennyson, Princ., Concl. 98. A shout rose again, and … shook the branches of the deer.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, D viij. Many of them caste away their braunches and hornes.
d. One of the arms of a candelabrum or chandelier. Hence † A chandelier, esp. of the kind used in churches. Obs.
[1476. Will (Somerset Ho.). Ad sustentacionem luminis beate marie virginis vocati le Branche.]
1525. Churchw. Accts. St. Dunstan’s, Canterb., Taperys that where sparyd of the braunche before the Rode.
1552. Huloet, Candlestycke called a braunche. Candlestycke with thre braunches or lightes.
1709. E. W., Life Donna Rosina, 135. A Chrystal Branch fill’d with Wax Candles.
1794. G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., III. xxix. 180. You may find how long a branch is which hangs down from the roof of a church.
e. poet. The human arm (or hand). rare.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., II. iv. 18. What sterne vngentle hands Hath … made thy body bare Of her two branches.
† 3. A branch-like figured pattern in embroidery or ornamental work: cf. BRANCH v. 6, BRANCHED 2 b.
1606. Peacham, Art Drawing, 35. In diapering … maintaining one branche or the same work throughout.
† 4. A definite complex structure or form, as the characteristic form of man or any animal.
1668. Culpepper & Cole, Barthol. Anat., I. xxviii. 68. The Particles of the Seed … agitated only by the Heat of the womb … fall into the Branch of a Livewight. Ibid. The Divine Shape of … Man is alwaies one and the same … How could that Branch be formed without the Mind?
II. Figurative applications suggested by the relation of a branch to the tree.
5. Connected with the notion of a ‘genealogical tree.’
a. One of the portions into which a family or race is divided according to the differing lines of descent from the common ancestor; hence a division of a nation, or of a ‘family’ in any fig. sense, such as that of a group in scientific classification.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5657 (Gött.). Þat branch [Cott. MS. brance] of kin cald iuus was, þat cam of iacob sonis iudas.
a. 1581. Campion, Hist. Irel., viii. (1633), 24. Cast out by the collaterall braunches of Cham.
1793. Burke, Corr. (1844), IV. 135. I do not flatter myself, that the English branch of the Jacobin family is a jot better than the French.
1839. Thirlwall, Greece, I. 147. They are Minyans; a branch of the Greek nation.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 219. Both the branches of the great House of Austria sprang to arms.
† b. A child, descendant; cf. scion. Obs. exc. in humorous use; (quot. 1807 contains an allusion to Psalm cxxviii. 3). Cf. Olive-branch.
1535. Coverdale, Jer. xxiii. 5. I wil rayse vp the rightuous braunch of Dauid.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., II. 12/1. Bastolenus a branch of Japhet … brought thither the same kind of speech.
1605. Camden, Rem., 93. Robert the sonne of Maldred, a braunch of an olde English familie.
1753. Watts, Coronat. Day, xiii. 49, Poet. Wks. 1782, VII. 150. Mark that young branch [footnote, Prince William] of rising fame.
1791. Boswell, Johnson (1816), I. 22. Of which [family] the poet was a branch.
1807. Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 478. Now of that vine he’d have no more increase, Those playful branches now disturb his peace.
c. In devotional literature applied to Christ, with allusion to Isa. xi. 1, Zech. iii. 8, vi. 12, etc.
1535. Coverdale, Zech. vi. 12. Beholde, the man whose name is the braunche.
1719. Watts, Hymns, I. l. ii. He [God] makes the Branch of promise grow.
1831. Wesley’s Hymns, Supp. No. 650. Branch of Jesse’s stem, arise.
6. With express or implied reference to a metaphorical tree, root or stock: One of the consequences deducible from a general principle; one of the effects resulting from a cause.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 131 b. Which is … the thyrde braunche in the tree of grace.
1719. Watts, Hymns, I. lvii. v. Wild and unwholesome as the root Will all the branches be.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. 1842, I. 40. This branch rises … from terrour, the common stock of every thing that is sublime.
b. To destroy (anything) root and branch: to destroy it utterly, to destroy both the thing itself and all its effects; originally suggested by the wording (derived from Mal. iv. 1) of the London Petition of Dec. 11, 1640 for the total abolition of episcopal government (see quot.) Hence, Root-and-branch petition, root-and-branch bill, this petition, and the bill embodying its proposals, laid before parliament in 1641; root-and-branch party, the party by which the bill was supported; also (with more general meaning) root and branch policy, reform, a ‘radical’ policy or reform involving the total abolition of some existing institution.
[1611. Bible, Mal. iv. 1. The day that cometh shall burn them up … that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
1640. Petition, in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1721), IV. 93. That the said government, with all its dependencies, roots, and branches, be abolished.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., VIII. ii. § 6. It was vain to strike at the branches, whilest the roote of all Hereticks doth remain.]
1641. Lord Say & Sele, in Ho. Lords, in Cobbett, Parl. Hist. (1807), II. 806. The question … is not, Whether episcopacy … shall be taken away root and branch.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. (1843), 94/1. Sir Harry Vane, and shortly after Mr. Hambden … were believed to be for root and branch; which grew shortly after a common expression.
1655. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I, 184. The Scotish fires had … burnt up to nothing Episcopacy both root and branch.
1867. Morley, Burke, 180. The root and branch policy of the Tudors. Ibid., 237. Privilege and immunity were then cut up root and branch.
1884. Gardiner, Hist. Eng., IX. xcvi. 299. The Root-and-Branch party knew well that they could not … count on a majority.
c. In medieval theology, one of the subordinate classes coming under the category of any one of the seven deadly sins, or of any venial sin.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 26363. Gastly sin [es] … lust and pride, And þair bransches þat springes wide.
1340. Ayenb., 9. Þer by zome bronches þet ne byeþ naȝt dyadlich zenne.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 15. Of this roote [pride] springen general braunches; as ire, envye, accidie.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XVII. 264. Ypocrisie is a braunche of pruyde.
1615. Hieron, Wks., I. 603. The raging sins of the first Table, as well as the more notorious branches of the second.
7. A division of a subject; a subdivision of a general concept or notion; a department of any study, pursuit or employment; freq. in phraseological combinations, (where department may be substituted), as branch of activity, industry, study, etc. Also branch of the revenue, of the prerogative, etc.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XI. xl. As to the fourth part, Pronouncyacyon, I shal it shewe anone … Wyth many braunches of it.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., II. ii. 66. The sisters three, and such branches of learning.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvi. 141. Fidelity … a branch of naturall Justice.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., III. (1843), 114/1. Thus fell that high court [the star-chamber], a great branch of the prerogative.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 288, ¶ 3. Indian Silks were formerly a great Branch of our Trade.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, I. vi. 66. Their learning … flourished in all its branches.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, Pref. One branch of quackery.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1806), V. lxvii. 109. The king’s revenue lay under great debts and anticipations; those branches granted in the year 1669 and 1670 were ready to expire.
1813. Jane Austen, Pride & Prej., iii. 10. She was obliged to seek another branch of the subject.
1839. Thirlwall, Greece, I. 239. The Phœnicians … introduced letters, along with other branches of knowledge.
b. One of the divergent directions along which a line of thought may be followed out; a division of a complex proposition, question, argument, discussion, demand, legislative enactment, etc.
1542–3. Act 34–35 Hen. VIII., v. § 3. It is conteined in the … statute, within diuers articles and branches of the same.
1632. Star Chamb. Cases (1886), 102. I thinke these as branches of the first charge are charged in the bill.
1696. Whiston, Th. Earth, IV. v. 377. The first Branch of this Proposition.
a. 1700. in Rushworth, Hist. Coll., III. II. ii. 980 [heading]. The Branch of a letter from the Arch-bishop of Canterbury to Dr. Hall … dated … the 11th of November 1639. Ibid., 1347 (heading, an. 1640). A Branch of the Lord Digby’s Speech about Episcopacy.
1783. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict. (Morell), I. A branch [of discourse], caput.
1818. Cruise, Digest, VI. 307. The express declaration of the testator in almost every branch of his will.
8. A component portion of an organization or system, a part of a larger unity. Branch of the legislature, one of the houses or chambers into which the legislative body is divided.
1696. Whiston, The. Earth., Introd. 11. The bare Earth … is but one of the Members or Branch.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 28, ¶ 5. A mixt Government consisting of three Branches.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 258. This branch of the legislature, which represents the people.
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., xiii. (1847), 150. The Roman Church was a sound and uncorrupt branch of the Catholic Church.
9. A local office of business, subordinate to the main or head office, as the ‘branch’ of a bank or other establishment.
1817. Petition in Parl. Deb., 215. This London Union Society … establishing branches and affiliations.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 257. Important banks, each possessing numerous branches.
III. 10. The certificate held by a brother of the Trinity House; also that given by the Trinity House to pilots who have passed an examination as to their competence. Cf. branch-pilot in 13.
1865. Esquiros, Cornwall, 237. He received a branch, the name given to a certificate bearing the signature of the Society.
IV. 11. In various techn. senses [chiefly after Fr. branche]: in Arch. the rib of a Gothic vault; in Zool. (see quot. 1881); in Mech. the beam or axle of a pump or similar machine; also, a bolt or strap with arms; in Harness-making, a pair of parallel levers passing through the ends of a curb-bit, and provided with rings or loops for the curb-chain, etc.; in Fortification, the wing of a horn- or crown-work; also, one of the boyaux of a zig-zag approach. The word is also used of the metal piece on the end of a hose, to which the nozzle is screwed; and of each of the sides of a horse-shoe.
1659. Leak, Water-works, 17. The said Levers shalbe also fitted to two arms or branches.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 38. There were two large branches fixed near the center, for taking hold of the two sides of a large upright piece of timber.
1838. Penny Cycl., XII. 296/1. The defenders of their branches could not have avoided firing upon one another.
1881. Nature, XXIV. 463. Branches—The cell-bearing portions of the zoarium of Glauconome … or Synocladia.
1884. E. L. Anderson, Mod. Horsemanship, I. v. 18. The branches should be long or short, as the rider wishes a mild or a severe bit.
V. Comb. and Attrib.
12. General relations: a. (in sense 1), objective with ppl. adj., vbl. sb. or agent-noun, as branch-bearing, -gatherer; locative and instrum. (poet.), as branch-charmed, -embellished, -rent; attrib. (pertaining to a branch), as branch-bud; also branch-like adj. b. (in sense 2) attrib. (having the character of a branch), as branch-line (of railway), -root, -vein; c. (in sense 9) as branch bank, -establishment, -office.
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 56. Pearserthnut … is in leafe and *braunch bearing like to Cicer.
1882. Vines, Sachs’ Bot., 370. The deciduous *branch-buds of Bryum annotinum may also be considered as organs of reproduction.
a. 1821. Keats, Hyperion. Tall oaks, *branch-charmed by the earnest stars.
1597. Drayton, Mortimer., 110. Notingham … Crowne of the beautious *branch-embellish’d soyle.
1483. Cath. Angl., 41. A *Brawnche gederer, frondator.
1852. Turner, Proverb. Philos., 167. With dull malignant stare watcheth the *branch-like boa.
1846. Penny Cycl., Supp. II. 667/2. When … in working *branch lines, a carriage must be sent through for the accommodation of only two or three passengers.
1885. Law Rep., XXIX. Chancery Div. 219. The company had no *branch office of its own in England.
1840. Act 3–4 Vic. xcvii. § 18. Effecting communication between such railway and any … *branch railway.
1820. Keats, Lamia, 13. Vales deflower’d, or forest-trees *branch-rent.
1884. Bower & Scott, De Bary’s Phaner. & Ferns, 362. *Branch-roots of Dracæna reflexa … have a thoroughly typical structure.
1858. W. Ellis, Visits Madagascar, ix. 242. At the adjacent *branch station … we remained a week.
c. 1400. in Rel. Ant., I. 190. Fro ‘basylica’ … A *branche veyn spryngeth up ful bolde.
13. Special combinations: branch-bottom (in U.S.), see quot.; branch-building a., building in branches; branch-chuck (Mech.), a chuck having four branches turned up at the ends, and furnished with screws; branch-coal, a provincial name for anthracite; branch-pilot, a pilot who holds a Trinity House certificate; † branch-stand v., ‘to make a Hawk take the Branch, or leap from Tree to Tree, till the Dog springs the Partridge’ (Phillips, 1706); branch wines, a translation of Pg. vinos de ramo, wines made for home consumption; branch-work, ornamental figured patterns (cf. 3).
1880. [Mary Allan-Olney], New Virginians, I. 82. The land, being what is called *branch-bottom—i.e., alluvial in character—was capable of producing fairly.
1868. Wood, Homes without H., xxvii. 514. We shall take first the *branch-building mammalia.
1864. Times, 10 Dec., 12/4 The first *branch pilot who offered his services in pilot water to a vessel bound in was bound to be accepted.
1833. C. Redding, Hist. Mod. Wines, viii. (1836), 226. The wine country of the Douro is again subdivided … into, first, Factory wines … and secondly, *Branch wines.
1702. W. J., trans. Bruyn’s Voy. Levant, ix. 32. Intermixed with *Branch-works that make a glorious shew.
1842. Tennyson, Pal. Art, 95. *Branch-work of costly sardonyx.
