Word Origin & History
bracket
1580, bragget, probably from M.Fr. braguette "codpiece armor," from a fancied resemblance of that article to architectural supports (Sp. cognate bragueta meant both "codpiece" and "bracket"), dim. of brague "knee pants," ultimately from Gaulish *braca "pants," itself from Gmc. (cf. O.E. broc "garment for the legs and trunk"). The connecting notion may be of two limbs, or of appliances used in pairs. The typographical bracket is first recorded 1750, so called for its resemblance to double supports in carpentry. Senses affected by L. brachium "arm."