Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
noun
A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: plural-normally
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Scotland, UK, dialectal, obsolete, plural-normally
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Buckwheat.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, dialectal, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To put someone in the branks.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Scotland, UK, dialectal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To prance; to caper.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Scotland
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Compare Scottish Gaelic brangus, brangas (“a sort of pillory”), Irish brancas (“halter”), or Dutch pranger (“fetter”).
Probably of Celtic origin; compare Latin brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.
