The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Branch \Branch\, n.; pl. Branches. [OE. braunche, F. branche,
   fr. LL. branca claw of a bird or beast of prey; cf. Armor.
   brank branch, bough.]
   1. (Bot.) A shoot or secondary stem growing from the main
      stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other
      plant.
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   2. 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.
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            Most of the branches, or streams, were dried up.
                                                  --W. Irving.
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   3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct
      article; a section or subdivision; a department. "Branches
      of knowledge." --Prescott.
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            It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --Shak.
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   4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends
      outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the
      branches of an hyperbola.
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   5. 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.
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            His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock.
                                                  --Carew.
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   6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot,
      authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
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   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.
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   Syn: Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Bridle \Bri"dle\, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG.
   britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf.
   Bridoon.]
   1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and
      restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins,
      with other appendages.
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   2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts.
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   3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which
      holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
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   4. (Naut.)
      (a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends,
          so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached
          to its middle.
      (b) A mooring hawser.
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   Bowline bridle. See under Bowline.

   Branches of a bridle. See under Branch.

   Bridle cable (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle.
      See 4, above.

   Bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the
      left hand.

   Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses
      and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for
      vehicles.

   Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow
      through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are
      passed.

   Bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit.

   Bridle road.
      (a) Same as Bridle path. --Lowell.
      (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback
          exercise.

   Bridle track, a bridle path.

   Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.
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   Syn: A check; restrain.
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