brank Meaning & Definition
What Does Brank Mean?
As a noun, brank means A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue. It can also mean A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. As a verb, it means To put someone in the branks.
Brank at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /æ/ |
| Plural | branks |
| Verb forms | branks, branking, branked |
Brank Definition (Noun)
- A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue.
- A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
Brank as a Verb
- To put someone in the branks.
- To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
- To prance; to caper.
Noun
- Buckwheat.
Synonyms of Brank
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Brank synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
brank (plural branks)
brank (third-person singular simple present branks, present participle branking, simple past and past participle branked)
brank (uncountable)
Words That Rhyme With Brank
Origin of Brank
Origin 1: Compare Scottish Gaelic brangus, brangas (“a sort of pillory”), Irish brancas (“halter”), or Dutch pranger (“fetter”).
Origin 2: Probably of Celtic origin; compare Latin brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.
Questions People Ask About Brank
Is brank a noun or a verb?
Brank is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of brank?
The plural of brank is branks.
What is the past tense of brank?
The past tense of brank is branked. The present participle is branking.