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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