Branks
Sometimes, brank. a device consisting of a headpiece with a flat, iron bit to restrain the tongue, formerly used to punish scolds.
to hold up and toss the head, as a horse when spurning the bit or prancing.
to bridle; restrain.
Historical Examples
The Romance of Words (4th ed.) Ernest Weekley
Bygone Punishments William Andrews
The Life of a Celebrated Buccaneer Richard Clynton
Bygone Punishments William Andrews
The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 1/2 Arthur Griffiths
The House with the Green Shutters George Douglas Brown
The Lyon in Mourning, Vol. 1 Robert Forbes
Woman, Church & State Matilda Joslyn Gage
Bygone Punishments William Andrews
Notes and Queries, Number 232, April 8, 1854 Various
plural noun
(formerly) an iron bridle used to restrain scolding women
n.
Paide for caring a woman throughe the towne for skoulding, with branks, 4d. [“Municipal Accounts of Newcastle,” 1595]
“Ungallant, and unmercifully severe, as this species of torture seems to be, Dr. Plot, in his History of Staffordshire, much prefers it to the cucking stool, which, he says, ‘not only endangers the health of the party, but also gives the tongue liberty ‘twixt every dip.’ ” [Brockett, “A Glossary of North Country Words,”1829].
Read Also:
- Branking
to hold up and toss the head, as a horse when spurning the bit or prancing. to bridle; restrain.
- Branle
a lively 16th- and 17th-century round dance originating in France. the music for this dance. Historical Examples Library Of The World’s Best Literature, Ancient And Modern, Vol 6 Various Bayou Folk Kate Chopin The Pianoforte Sonata J.S. Shedlock Bayou Folk Kate Chopin Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 Various Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, […]
- Branny
of, containing, or like bran. Historical Examples A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Various Brother Copas Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch Zoonomia, Vol. II Erasmus Darwin Searchlights on Health: Light on Dark Corners B.G. Jefferis Brother Copas Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 Various Brother Copas […]
- Brannock-device
noun Examples Word Origin
- Branson
noun Sir Richard. born 1950, British entrepreneur. In 1969 he founded the Virgin record company, adding other interests later, including Virgin Atlantic Airways (1984), Virgin Radio (1993), and the Virgin Rail Group (1996): made the fastest crossing of the Atlantic by boat (1986) and the first of the Pacific by hot-air balloon (1991) Contemporary Examples […]