BRANKS

Etymology

Origin uncertain; perhaps related to German Pranger, Dutch prang.

Noun

branks (plural branks)

(historical) A punishment device, especially for scolding women, consisting of a cage to enclose the head, with a metal gag for the mouth; a scold's bridle.

Source: Wiktionary


Brank, Branks, n. Etym: [Cf. Gael. brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas halter, or D. pranger fetter.]

1. A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Jamieson.

2. A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame surrounding the head and having a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold.

BRANK

Brank, n. Etym: [Prov. of Celtic origin; cf. L. brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.]

Definition: Buckwheat. [Local, Eng.] Halliwell.

Brank, Branks, n. Etym: [Cf. Gael. brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas halter, or D. pranger fetter.]

1. A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.] Jamieson.

2. A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame surrounding the head and having a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold.

Brank, v. i.

1. To hold up and toss the head; -- applied to horses as spurning the bit. [Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

2. To prance; to caper. [Scot.] Jamieson.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

25 June 2025

DETENTION

(noun) a state of being confined (usually for a short time); “his detention was politically motivated”; “the prisoner is on hold”; “he is in the custody of police”


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Coffee Trivia

Coffee has initially been a food – chewed, not sipped. Early African tribes consume coffee by grinding the berries together, adding some animal fat, and rolling the treats into tiny edible energy balls.

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