brank

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CIDE DICTIONARY

brank, n. [Prov. of Celtic origin; cf. L. brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.].

Buckwheat. Halliwell. [1913 Webster]

brank, n. [Cf. Gael. brangus, brangas, a sort of pillory, Ir. brancas halter, or D. pranger fetter.].

A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces. Jamieson. [1913 Webster]
A scolding bridle, an instrument formerly used for correcting scolding women. It was an iron frame surrounding the head and having a triangular piece entering the mouth of the scold. [1913 Webster]

brank, v. i.

To hold up and toss the head; -- applied to horses as spurning the bit. [1913 Webster]
To prance; to caper. Jamieson. [1913 Webster]

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ROGET THESAURUS

brank

Scourge

N scourge, rod, cane, stick, ratan, rattan, birch, birch rod, azote, blacksnake, bullwhack, chicote, kurbash, quirt, rawhide, sjambok, rod in pickle, switch, ferule, cudgel, truncheon, whip, bullwhip, lash, strap, thong, cowhide, knout, cat, cat o'nine tails, rope's end, pillory, stocks, whipping post, cucking stool, ducking stool, brank, trebuchet, trebuket, triangle, wooden horse, iron maiden, thumbscrew, boot, rack, wheel, iron heel, chinese water torture, treadmill, crank, galleys, scaffold, block, ax, guillotine, stake, cross, gallows, gibbet, tree, drop, noose, rope, halter, bowstring, death chair, electric chair, gas chamber, lethal injection, firing squad, mecate, house of correction, goaler, jailer, executioner, electrocutioner, lyncher, hangman, headsman, Jack Ketch.