Search results for 'brace':

brace noun (braces) 1 a device, usually made from metal, which supports, strengthens or holds two things together. Often in compounds • wall brace • orthopaedic brace. 2 (braces) Brit straps worn over the shoulders, for holding trousers up. US equivalent suspenders. 3 a wire device worn on the teeth (usually a child's teeth) to straighten them. 4 building, etc a tool used by carpenters and metalworkers to hold a bit² and enable it to be rotated (see also brace and bit). 5 printing either of two symbols ({ or }) used to connect lines, figures, staves of music, parts of text, etc, indicating that they are to be taken together (compare bracket noun 1, parenthesis). 6 (in plural also brace) a pair or couple, especially of game birds. 7 naut a rope attached to a ship's yard¹, used for adjusting the sails. See also mainbrace. verb (braced, bracing) 1 to make something tight or stronger, usually by supporting it in some way. 2 (usually brace oneself) to prepare and steady oneself for a blow or shock, etc • Here comes the bump, so brace yourself! 3 to tone up, stimulate or invigorate someone • braced by the crisp November day. See also bracing. bracer noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c, meaning 'a pair of arms': from Latin brachium arm.

brace noun (braces) 1 a device, usually made from metal, which supports, strengthens or holds two things together. Often in compounds • wall brace • orthopaedic brace. 2 (braces) Brit straps worn over the shoulders, for holding trousers up. US equivalent suspenders. 3 a wire device worn on the teeth (usually a child's teeth) to straighten them. 4 building, etc a tool used by carpenters and metalworkers to hold a bit² and enable it to be rotated (see also brace and bit). 5 printing either of two symbols ({ or }) used to connect lines, figures, staves of music, parts of text, etc, indicating that they are to be taken together (compare bracket noun 1, parenthesis). 6 (in plural also brace) a pair or couple, especially of game birds. 7 naut a rope attached to a ship's yard¹, used for adjusting the sails. See also mainbrace. verb (braced, bracing) 1 to make something tight or stronger, usually by supporting it in some way. 2 (usually brace oneself) to prepare and steady oneself for a blow or shock, etc • Here comes the bump, so brace yourself! 3 to tone up, stimulate or invigorate someone • braced by the crisp November day. See also bracing. bracer noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c, meaning 'a pair of arms': from Latin brachium arm.

brace noun (braces) 1 a device, usually made from metal, which supports, strengthens or holds two things together. Often in compounds • wall brace • orthopaedic brace. 2 (braces) Brit straps worn over the shoulders, for holding trousers up. US equivalent suspenders. 3 a wire device worn on the teeth (usually a child's teeth) to straighten them. 4 building, etc a tool used by carpenters and metalworkers to hold a bit² and enable it to be rotated (see also brace and bit). 5 printing either of two symbols ({ or }) used to connect lines, figures, staves of music, parts of text, etc, indicating that they are to be taken together (compare bracket noun 1, parenthesis). 6 (in plural also brace) a pair or couple, especially of game birds. 7 naut a rope attached to a ship's yard¹, used for adjusting the sails. See also mainbrace. verb (braced, bracing) 1 to make something tight or stronger, usually by supporting it in some way. 2 (usually brace oneself) to prepare and steady oneself for a blow or shock, etc • Here comes the bump, so brace yourself! 3 to tone up, stimulate or invigorate someone • braced by the crisp November day. See also bracing. bracer noun.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c, meaning 'a pair of arms': from Latin brachium arm.