Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Brank
Brank
,Noun.
[Prov. of Celtic origin; cf. L.
brance
, brace
, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.] Buckwheat.
[Local, Eng.]
Halliwell.
Brank
,Verb.
I.
1.
To hold up and toss the head; – applied to horses as spurning the bit.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
2.
To prance; to caper.
[Scot.]
Jamieson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Brank
BRANK
,Noun.
1.
Buckwheat, a species of polygonum; a grain cultivated mostly for beasts and poultry; but in the U. States, the flour is much used for making breakfast cakes.2.
In some parts of England and Scotland, a scolding-bridle, an instrument for correcting scolding women. It consists of a headpiece, which incloses the head of the offender, and of a sharp iron which enters the mouth and restrains the tongue.Definition 2025
brank
brank
English
Noun
brank (plural branks)
- (usually in the plural) A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue
- (obsolete, Britain, Scotland, dialect, usually in the plural) A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Jamieson to this entry?)
Verb
brank (third-person singular simple present branks, present participle branking, simple past and past participle branked)
- To put someone in the branks
- (Britain, Scotland, dialect) To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
- (Scotland) To prance; to caper.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Jamieson to this entry?)
Etymology 2
Probably of Celtic origin; compare Latin brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.
Noun
brank (uncountable)