I. ˈbrand, -aa(ə)- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English brand, brond brand, sword, from Old English; akin to Old High German brant brand, Old Norse brandr brand, blade of a sword, Old English byrnan, bærnan to burn — more at burn
1.
a. : a piece of wood that has been or is burning (as one from a hearth or a burning building) : firebrand
b. : something that resembles a burning piece of wood
blinding brands of lightning — P.B.Shelley
2.
a. : a sword blade
b. : sword
3.
a.
(1) : a mark of a simple easily recognized pattern made by burning with a hot iron to attest manufacture or quality or to designate ownership
(2) : a mark made with a stamp or stencil for similar purposes : trademark
b.
(1) : a mark put on criminals with a hot iron
(2) : a mark of disgrace : stigma
a reputation bearing the brand of criminal negligence
4.
a.
(1) : a class of goods identified as being the product of a single firm or manufacturer : make
stores selling well-known brands of canned foods
(2) : producer , manufacturer
a dozen brands of textile goods competing on the open market
b. : a characteristic or distinctive kind : variety
their brand of love was a tortured and fretful affection — Evelyn Eaton
5. : a tool used to produce a brand (as on cattle, manufactured wares, wine casks) : branding iron
6. : any rust fungus giving a burnt appearance typically to leaves
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English branden, bronden from brand, brond, n.
1. : to mark with a brand
brand a criminal
brand wine casks with the vineyard's name
especially : to place the brand of ownership on (horses or cattle)
2. : to mark, signal, or expose as being disgraceful or dishonest : stigmatize
refusal of such a demand brands one as stingy — Margaret Mead
3. : to impress indelibly
history has once again branded this lesson on the minds of those who choose to see — T.O.Beachcroft