▪ I. brant, n.
(brænt)
(Also brent q.v.)
[Derivation and original application uncertain: in Sw. brandgås (Icel. brandgás only in the Þulur) is the sheldrake or bergander; in Ger., brandgans is according to some the sheldrake, but with Grimm = Anser fuscus, the Black or Velvet Duck; in English, brant, brant-goose was long confounded with the barnacle goose. Early naturalists (Gesner, Aldrovandus, etc.) were content to derive the name from βρένθος an unidentified water-bird mentioned by Aristotle; later etymologists have suggested brended or branded, brindled, and brand fire, burning, perh. in sense of dusky black, or sooty colour; but in the absence of knowledge where the name arose, and to what bird it was originally applied, nothing can be determined.]
The smallest species of wild goose (Bernicla brenta) breeding in high northern latitudes, and visiting the British coasts in winter. Formerly confounded with the allied Barnacle-goose. Also brant-goose (in 8 casually bran-, brand-goose; in Eng. authors since Pennant more commonly brent-goose q.v.).
| 1544 Turner Avium praecipuarum 23 Prior anser a nostris hodie branta et bernicla vocatur. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 301 Such egs not only Doues doe bring, but..geese and Brants, or the female Barganders. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia ii. 27 In winter there are..Geese, Brants, Ducke. 1668 Charleton Onomast. 98 The Barnacle or Scots-goose or Clak-guse, quae eadem forte est cum Branta seu Brentho. 1676 T. Glover in Phil. Trans. XI. 626 Cormorants, Brants, Shield-fowl. 1836 W. Irving Astoria (1849) 332 The country abounded with..swans, wild geese, brant. 1855 Longfellow Hiaw. i. 103, I have given you brant and beaver. |
| b. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 391 Foules, whom we call Barnakles; in the north of England Brant geese. 1668 Wilkins Real Char. ii. v. 156 One is black from the breast to the middle of the belly, called Brant Goose, Bernicla or Brenta. 1678 Ray Willughby's Ornith. 360, I am of opinion that the Brant-Goose differs specifically from the Bernacle, however writers of the History of Birds confound them. 1750 E. Smith Compl. Housewife 7 To chuse a goose, wild goose, and Bran-goose. 1766 Phil. Trans. LVI. 212 He mentions the brand geese first. 1863 Kingsley Water-B. vi. 269 Swans and brant geese, harlequins and eiders. |
▪ II. † brant, a. and adv. Obs. exc. in north. dial.
(brænt)
[OE. brant, brǫnt ‘high, steep’, corresp. to ON. *brant-r, whence Icel. bratt-r, Sw. brant, Da. brat; not known in other Teut. langs. Found in literature in 16th c., and still used in north. Eng. dial.: the Sc. form is brent, q.v.]
A. adj.
1. Lofty, steep, sheer, precipitous.
| a 1000 Elene 238 (Gr.) Leton þa ofer fifelwæᵹ famiᵹe scriðan bronte brimþisan. a 1000 Andreas 273 (Gr.) Þæt þu us ᵹebrohte brante ceole..on þære mæᵹðe! 1544 R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 58 A man maye..syt on a brante hyll syde. 1821 Mrs. Wheeler Cumbld. Dial. App. 7 Our brant fells. 1822 J. Briggs Rem. 106 in Lanc. Gloss. (E.D.S.) Ye'll find it a lang way an' varra brant. |
2. Of the forehead: Unwrinkled; see brent.
| 1483 Cath. Angl. 41 Branit [v.r. brante], abrugatus. |
B. adv. Straight, straight up; erectly, steeply.
| a 1400 Alexander (Stevenson) 124 Apon the bald Bucipelon brant up he sittes. 1544 R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 87 Hawarde..slew kyng Jamie..euen brant agenst Flodon hil. |
Hence † ˈbrantness, steepness.
| 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (1856) 1 If hee bee a dodded tuppe, yow may knowe him best by the brantnesse of his foreheade, which appearith high and sharpe. |
▪ III. brant
var. of brand, blight. See also brunt.