■ noun
1》 each of a pair of marks () [ ] { } <> used to enclose words or figures and separate them from the surrounding context.
2》 a category of similar people or things.
3》 a right-angled support projecting from a wall, holding a shelf, lamp, etc.
4》 Military the distance between two artillery shots fired either side of the target to establish range.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ing , ~ed )
1》 enclose (words or figures) in ~s.
↘ Mathematics enclose (a complex expression) in ~s to denote that the whole of the expression has a particular relation to another expression.
2》 place in the same category.
3》 attach by means of a ~.
4》 Military establish the range of (a target) by firing preliminary shots short of and beyond it.
Origin
C16: from Fr. braguette or Sp. bragueta 'codpiece, ~, corbel', from Provençal braga , from L. braca , (plural) bracae 'breeches'.