branding iron
- a long-handled metal rod with a stamp at one end, used for branding livestock, especially cattle, with a registered or recognized symbol or character to indicate ownership.
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Origin of branding iron
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50
Also called brand.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for branding iron
Historical Examples
The branding-iron must be, if not quite red-hot, very nearly so.
Ranching, Sport and TravelThomas Carson
With a knife and a branding-iron they can be disarmed for ever.
The Last of the Legions and Other Tales of Long AgoArthur Conan Doyle
It seared Georg like a branding-iron on the flesh of his arm as it swung past.
Tarrano the ConquerorRaymond King Cummings
The overwhelming relief in her face, burned into Wade's soul like a branding-iron.
Hidden GoldWilder Anthony
Often the branding-iron of vain regret had seared her quivering heart.
The Following of the StarFlorence L. Barclay