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.

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. ``Branches of knowledge.'' --Prescott.

It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --Shak.

4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.

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. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)