Brake

BRAKE, pp. of break. [See Break.]
BRAKE, n. [L. erica; Gr. to break.]
1. Brake is a name given to fern, or rather to the female fern, a species of cryptogamian plants, of the genus Pteris, whose fructification is in lines under the margin of the leaf or frond.
2. A place overgrown with brake.
3. A thicket; a place overgrown with shrubs and brambles.
4. In the U. States, a thicket of canes, as a cane-brake; but I believe used only in composition.
BRAKE, n. [See Break.] An instrument to break flax or hemp.
1. The handle or lever by which a pump is worked; that is, brac, brachium, an arm.
2. A baker's kneading trough.
3. A sharp bit, or snaffle.
4. A machine for confining refractory horses, while the smith is shoeing them.
5. That part of the carriage of a movable battery or engine which enables it to turn.
6. A large heavy harrow for breaking clods after plowing; called also a drag.

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