Branch (&unr_;), n.; pl. Branches (&unr_;). [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.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

Most of the branches , or streams, were dried up. W. Irving.
[1913 Webster]

3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department. “Branches of knowledge.” Prescott.
[1913 Webster]

It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. Shak.
[1913 Webster]

4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock. Carew.
[1913 Webster]

6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

Syn. -- Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.
[1913 Webster]

Branch, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Branched (&unr_;); p. pr. & vb. n. Branching.] 1. To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.
[1913 Webster]

2. To divide into separate parts or subdivision.
[1913 Webster]

To branch off, to form a branch or a separate part; to diverge. -- To branch out, to speak diffusively; to extend one's discourse to other topics than the main one; also, to enlarge the scope of one's business, etc.
[1913 Webster]

To branch out into a long disputation. Spectator.
[1913 Webster]