I. ˈbrās verb
( braced ; brac·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French bracer to embrace, from brace
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. archaic : to fasten tightly : bind
2.
a. : to prepare for use by making taut
b. : prepare , steel
brace yourself for the shock
c. : invigorate , freshen
3. : to turn (a sail yard) by means of a brace
4.
a. : to furnish or support with a brace
heavily braced against the wind
b. : to make stronger : reinforce
5. : to put or plant firmly
brace s his foot in the stirrup
6. : to waylay especially with demands or questions
intransitive verb
1. : to take heart — used with up
2. : to get ready (as for an attack)
II. noun
( plural brac·es )
Etymology: Middle English, clasp, pair, from Anglo-French, pair of arms, pair, support, from Latin bracchia, plural of bracchium arm, from Greek brachiōn, from comparative of brachys short — more at brief
Date: 14th century
1. : something (as a clasp) that connects or fastens
2. or plural brace : two of a kind : pair
several brace of quail
3. : a crank-shaped instrument for turning a bit
4. : something that transmits, directs, resists, or supports weight or pressure: as
a. : a diagonal piece of structural material that serves to strengthen something (as a framework)
b. : a rope rove through a block at the end of a ship's yard to swing it horizontally
c. plural : suspenders
d. : an appliance for supporting a body part
e. plural : an orthodontic appliance usually of metallic wire that is used especially to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth
5.
a. : one of two marks { } used to connect words or items to be considered together
b. : one of these marks connecting two or more musical staffs carrying parts to be performed simultaneously
c. : bracket 3a
6. : a position of rigid attention
7. : something that arouses energy or strengthens morale