- branks
- A bridle which was used as a punishment for a common scold.
Ballentine's law dictionary. Anderson, W.S.. 1998.
branks
Look at other dictionaries:
branks — (n.) 1590s, of unknown origin, perhaps from North Sea Germanic. An instrument of punishment for women, originally Scottish, it was a kind of iron cage for the head with a metal bit attached to still the tongue. Paide for caring a woman throughe… … Etymology dictionary
Bränks — Bränks, Kreis u. Stadt, so v.w. Brianks … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon
Branks — Brank Brank, Branks Branks, n. [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. [1913 Webster] 2. A scolding bridle, an… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
branks — noun /bræŋks/ a punishment device, especially for scolding women, consisting of a cage to enclose the head, with a metal gag for the mouth , 1836: Plot, in his History of Staffordshire, describes the branks used at Newcastle under Lyme, and at… … Wiktionary
branks — /brangks/, n. (used with a pl. v.) a device consisting of a headpiece with a flat, iron bit to restrain the tongue, formerly used to punish scolds. [1585 95; perh. to be identified with ME bernak bridle, snaffle; see BARNACLE2] * * * … Universalium
branks — North Country (Newcastle) Words a sort of bridle used by country people on the Borders brass money, riches … English dialects glossary
branks — n. instrument of punishment for women composed of an iron headpiece with a flat iron bit to restrain the tongue (used in the past) … English contemporary dictionary
branks — [braŋks] plural noun historical an instrument of punishment for a scolding woman, consisting of an iron framework for the head and a sharp metal gag for restraining the tongue. Origin C16: origin uncertain; cf. Ger. Pranger a pillory or bit for a … English new terms dictionary
branks — [[t]bræŋks[/t]] n. (used with a pl. v.) a headpiece with a flat iron bit to restrain the tongue, formerly used to punish scolds • Etymology: 1585–95; perh. to be identified with ME bernak bridle, snaffle < OF … From formal English to slang
branks — interj. žr. brankst: Branks plūgas į akmenį, ir nulūžo Pg … Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language
branks — /bræŋks/ (say brangks) plural noun (formerly) a bridle used to punish a scold. {origin uncertain} …
