branler, v.a., to jog, to wag, to move, to shake, to brandish.
se branler, v.r., to move.
branler, v.n., to shake, to jog, to totter, to rock; to stir, to move, to wag; to give way, to waver. — dans le manche; to shake in the handle, to be unsteady, irresolute, to be shaky. Tout ce qui branle ne tombe pas; a creaking gate hangs long, or threatened men live long.
branloire, n.f., see-saw; swing.
braque, n.m., brach-hound; a hare-brained fellow; mad-cap.
☉braquemart, n.m., cutlass; broadsword.
braquement (brak-mān), n.m., pointing (of ordnance).
braquer, v.a., to set, to turn, to level, to point. — un canon; to level a cannon. — une lunette; to point a telescope.
bras, n.m., arm; power; sconce (candelabrum); arm (of anchors, capstans, levers, seats); brace (of yards); handle; shaft (of litters); (mec.) side rod; arm (of a horse); claw (of a crawfish). Être blessé au —; to be wounded in the arm. Il a le — en écharpe; he has his arm in a sling. Recevoir quelqu’un à — ouverts; to receive any one with open arms. Demeurer les — croisés; to stand with folded arms. À pleins —; by armfuls. Un — de mer; an arm of the sea. À force de —; by strength of arms. Ne vivre que de ses —; to live by the labor of one’s hands. Avoir quelqu’un sur les —; to have any one to maintain. Avoir de grandes affaires sur les —; to have great concerns in hand. J’ai sur les — un puissant ennemi; I have to do with a powerful enemy. Les — m’en sont tombés; I was struck dumb with surprise. Se jeter entre les — de quelqu’un; to fly to any one for protection. Tendre les — à quelqu’un; to offer one’s aid to any one. Moulin à —; handmill. Les — de la mort; the jaws of death. À tour de —; with all one’s might. A —-le-corps; in one’s arms. Saisir quelqu’un à —-le-corps; to seize any one round the body. — dessus — dessous; arm in arm. Avoir les — longs; to have great influence. En prendre long comme le —; to take an ell; to impose upon.