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branks

American

[brangks] / bræŋks /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

Sometimes brank a device consisting of a headpiece with a flat, iron bit to restrain the tongue, formerly used to punish scolds.

branks British

/ bræŋks /

plural noun

(formerly) an iron bridle used to restrain scolding women

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of branks

1585–95; perhaps to be identified with Middle English bernak “bridle, snaffle”; see barnacle ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Its parent company, Rossiya Segodnya, is responsible for state news agency RIA Novosti and news branks like Sputnik, CNN reported.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2024

Several branks are still in existence in Staffordshire.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Several Shropshire branks remain at the present time.

From Bygone Punishments by Andrews, William

The branks in the two towns last named are alluded to by the celebrated Dr. Plot, the old historian of the county, in an amusing manner.

From Bygone Punishments by Andrews, William

One of these old-time branks is in the vestry of the church at Walton-on-Thames.

From Curious Punishments of Bygone Days by Earle, Alice Morse

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023