English Explanatory Dictionary

brank

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue.
  2. A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
verb
  1. To put someone in the branks.
  2. To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
  3. To prance; to caper.
noun
  1. Buckwheat.

Pronunciation

/ˈbɹæŋk/ [ˈbɹʷæŋk] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-brank.wav /ˈbɹeɪ̯ŋk/ [ˈbɹʷeɪ̯ŋk] /ˈbɹɛ̃ŋk/ [ˈbɹʷɛ̃ŋk]

Word forms

brank branks branking branked

Etymology

Compare Scottish Gaelic brangus, brangas (“a sort of pillory”), Irish brancas (“halter”), or Dutch pranger (“fetter”).

Derived words

branky
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