Special Branch

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noun

(in Britain) the department of the police force that is concerned with political security

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!

Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Words nearby Special Branch

special anatomy, special area, special assessment, Special Astrophysical Observatory, Special Boat Service, Special Branch, special case, special checking account, special clearing, special collection, special constable

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

Example sentences from the Web for Special Branch

As for the federal authorities, they have made themselves available but the clergy have not requested special protection.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At the same time, campaigns are spending less while the special-interest groups are spending more.
The 100 Rich People Who Run America|Mark McKinnon|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The off-year special election into which Duke threw himself drew little media notice at first.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
All of the big cats have a special mystique, but perhaps none more so than the tiger.
This Tiger Has Some Serious Ups|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

It all sounds a bit dramatic, but that cactus feels like something special.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
Diplococci without capsules are common in the sputum, but have no special significance.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
Will the new issues promptly retire when their special task is over?
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
Instead of the expected general amnesty, only a few special pardons were granted.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The result of this mission was eminently successful; a special treaty was drawn up and Spain sold Louisiana to France.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

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