Brank

//bɹæŋk// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue. plural-normally
  2. 2
    Buckwheat. UK, dialectal, uncountable

    "One - third of brank-ground , or mixed with any other kind of grain or roots, is as large a proportion as can be given with safety"

  3. 3
    A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. Scotland, UK, dialectal, obsolete, plural-normally

    "Your armour gude ye mauna shaw, / Nor yet appear like men o' weir; / As country lads be a' array'd, / Wi' branks and brecham on each mare."

Verb
  1. 1
    To put someone in the branks.
  2. 2
    To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit. Scotland, UK, dialectal
  3. 3
    To prance; to caper. Scotland

    "Donald came branking down the brae Wi' twenty thousand men."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Compare Gaelic brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Irish brancas, halter, or Dutch pranger, fetter.

Etymology 2

Compare Gaelic brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Irish brancas, halter, or Dutch pranger, fetter.

Etymology 3

Probably of Celtic origin; compare Latin brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.

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