Root and branch

Root and branch
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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Most of the branches, or streams, were dried up. --W. Irving. [1913 Webster]

3. Any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department. ``Branches of knowledge.'' --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

It is a branch and parcel of mine oath. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. (Geom.) One of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

His father, a younger branch of the ancient stock. --Carew. [1913 Webster]

6. (Naut.) A warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Bough; limb; shoot; offshoot; twig; sprig. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Root and branch — Root Root, n. [Icel. r[=o]t (for vr[=o]t); akin to E. wort, and perhaps to root to turn up the earth. See {Wort}.] 1. (Bot.) (a) The underground portion of a plant, whether a true root or a tuber, a bulb or rootstock, as in the potato, the onion …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • root-and-branch — root and branchˈ adjective and adverb 1. Without leaving any part 2. Thorough(ly), complete(ly) • • • Main Entry: ↑root …   Useful english dictionary

  • root and branch — ► root and branch (of a process or operation) thorough or radical. Main Entry: ↑root …   English terms dictionary

  • root and branch — 1 the firm should be eradicated, root and branch: COMPLETELY, entirely, wholly, totally, thoroughly. 2 a root and branch reform: COMPLETE, total, thorough, radical. → …   Useful english dictionary

  • Root and Branch — The Root and Branch Petition was a petition presented to the Long Parliament on December 11, 1640. The petition had been signed by 15,000 Londoners and was presented to the English Parliament by a crowd of 1,500. The petition called on Parliament …   Wikipedia

  • root-and-branch — formal root and branch if something is changed or removed root and branch, it is changed or removed completely because it is bad. These proposals amount to a root and branch reform of the system. (always before noun) …   New idioms dictionary

  • root and branch —    If an action is performed thoroughly or completely, it is done root and branch .     The causes of the disease must be eliminated root and branch …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • root and branch — formal if something is changed or removed root and branch, it is changed or removed completely because it is bad. Racism must be eliminated, root and branch …   New idioms dictionary

  • root and branch — 1) the company s accounting department should be eradicated, root and branch Syn: completely, entirely, wholly, totally, thoroughly 2) a root and branch reform Syn: complete, total, thorough, radical …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • root and branch — involving all parts The Party wanted root and branch electoral reform …   English dictionary

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