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Brink vs Brank - What's the difference?

brink | brank |

As nouns the difference between brink and brank

is that brink is the edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also used figuratively while brank is a metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue.

As a verb brank is

to put someone in the branks.

brink

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also used figuratively.

    • Derived terms

    * on the brink

    External links

    * * ----

    brank

    English

    Etymology 1

    Compare Gaelic brangus'', ''brangas'', a sort of pillory, Irish ''brancas'', halter, or Dutch ''pranger , fetter.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (usually, in the plural) A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue
  • (obsolete, UK, Scotland, dialect, usually, in the plural) A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
    • (Jamieson)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To put someone in the branks
  • (UK, Scotland, dialect) To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
  • (Scotland) To prance; to caper.
    • (Jamieson)

    Etymology 2

    Probably of Celtic origin; compare (etyl) (lena) brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.

    Noun

    (-)
  • (UK, dialect) buckwheat
    • (Halliwell)
    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

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