(~s, bracing, ~d)
1.
If you ~ yourself for something unpleasant or difficult, you prepare yourself for it.
He ~d himself for the icy plunge into the black water...
She ~d herself, as if to meet a blow.
VERB: V pron-refl for n, V pron-refl
2.
If you ~ yourself against something or ~ part of your body against it, you press against something in order to steady your body or to avoid falling.
Elaine ~d herself against the dresser and looked in the mirror...
He ~d his back against the wall.
VERB: V pron-refl against n, V n against n
3.
If you ~ your shoulders or knees, you keep them stiffly in a particular position.
He ~d his shoulders as the snow slashed across his face.
VERB: V n
4.
To ~ something means to strengthen or support it with something else.
Overhead, the lights showed the old timbers, used to ~ the roof.
VERB: V n
5.
You can refer to two things of the same kind as a ~ of that thing. The plural form is also ~.
...a ~ of bottles of Mercier Rose champagne.
...a few ~ of grouse.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
6.
A ~ is a device attached to a part of a person’s body, for example to a weak leg, in order to strengthen or support it.
She wears a neck ~.
= support
N-COUNT: oft n N
7.
A ~ is a metal device that can be fastened to a child’s teeth in order to help them grow straight.
N-COUNT
8.
Braces are a pair of straps that pass over your shoulders and fasten to your trousers at the front and back in order to stop them from falling down. (BRIT; in AM, use suspenders )
N-PLURAL
9.
Braces or curly ~s are a pair of written marks that you place around words, numbers, or parts of a computer code, for example to indicate that they are connected in some way or are separate from other parts of the writing or code. (AM; in BRIT, usually use curly brackets )
N-COUNT