What is "branches of a bridle"

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.

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.

Bridle \Bri"dle\, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.]

1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.

2. A restraint; a curb; a check.
   --I. Watts.

3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.

4. (Naut.)

   1. A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached to its middle.

   2. A mooring hawser. Bowline bridle. See under Bowline. Branches of a bridle. See under Branch. Bridle cable (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4, above. Bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the left hand. Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles. Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed. Bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit. Bridle road.

      1. Same as Bridle path.
         --Lowell.

      2. A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback exercise.

         Bridle track, a bridle path.

         Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.

         Syn: A check; restrain.