a shoot or secondary stem growing from the main stem, or from a principal limb or bough of a tree or other plant.-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.-any member or part of a body or system; a distinct article; a section or subdivision; a department.-one of the portions of a curve that extends outwards to an indefinitely great distance; as, the branches of an hyperbola.-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.-a warrant or commission given to a pilot, authorizing him to pilot vessels in certain waters.-diverging from, or tributary to, a main stock, line, way, theme, etc.; as, a branch vein; a branch road or line; a branch topic; a branch store.-to shoot or spread in branches; to separate into branches; to ramify.-to divide into separate parts or subdivision.-to divide as into branches; to make subordinate division in.-to adorn with needlework representing branches, flowers, or twigs.