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.
Most of the branches, or streams, were dried up.
--W. Irving.
3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct
article; a section or subdivision; a department.
``Branches of knowledge.'' --Prescott.
It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --Shak.
4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends
outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the
branches of an hyperbola.
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.
His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock.
--Carew.
6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot,
authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.
{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.
Syn: Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig.