From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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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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{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.
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Syn: Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.
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