Definitions For Brank

Etymology 1

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

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, UK, Scotland, dialect, usually, in the plural) A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. : (Jamieson)

Verb

{{en-verb}} To put someone in the branks (UK, Scotland, dialect) To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit. (Scotland) To prance; to caper. : (Jamieson)

Etymology 2

Probably of Celtic origin; compare {{etyl, la, -}} {{lena}} brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.

Noun

BRANK (uncountable) (UK, dialect) buckwheat : (Halliwell)

Anagrams

Bankr., bankr.