n. & v.
--n.
1. a a particular make of goods. b an identifying trade mark, label, etc.
2 (usu. foll. by of) a special or characteristic kind (brand of humour).
3 an identifying mark burned on livestock or (formerly) prisoners etc. with a hot iron.
4 an iron used for this.
5 a piece of burning, smouldering, or charred wood.
6 a stigma; a mark of disgrace.
7 poet. a a torch. b a sword.
8 a kind of blight, leaving leaves with a burnt appearance.
--v.tr.
1. mark with a hot iron.
2 stigmatize; mark with disgrace (they branded him a liar; was branded for life).
3 impress unforgettably on one's mind.
4 assign a trademark or label to.
Phrases and idioms:
brand-new completely or obviously new.
Derivatives:
brander n.
Etymology: OE f. Gmc