Branch

pl. Branches

A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant. (Bot.)
Any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; ramification; as, the branch of an antler; the branch of a chandelier; a branch of a river; a branch of a railway.
Most of the branches , or streams, were dried up.
— W. Irving.
Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department.
It is a branch and parcel of mine oath.
— Shak.
One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola. (Geom.)
A line of family descent, in distinction from some other line or lines from the same stock; any descendant in such a line; as, the English branch of a family.
His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock.
— Carew.
A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters. (Naut.)

Branches of a bridle: two pieces of bent iron, which bear the bit, the cross chains, and the curb.
Branch herring: See Alewife.
Root and branch: totally, wholly.

Diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store.

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Branched; p. pr. & vb. n. Branching

To shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.
To divide into separate parts or subdivision.
To branch out into a long disputation.
— Spectator.

To branch off: to form a branch or a separate part; to diverge.
To branch out: to speak diffusively; to extend one's discourse to other topics than the main one; also, to enlarge the scope of one's business, etc.

v. t.

To divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.
To adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.
The train whereof loose far behind her strayed, Branched with gold and pearl, most richly wrought.
— Spenser.