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braces

braces


brace     (brās)   

n.  

  1. A device that holds or fastens two or more parts together or in place; a clamp.

  2. A device, such as a supporting beam in a building or a connecting wire or rope, that steadies or holds something else erect.

  3. braces Chiefly British Suspenders.

  4. An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, or hold a bodily part in the correct position.

  5. A dental appliance constructed of bands and wires that is fixed to the teeth to correct irregular alignment. Often used in the plural.

  6. An extremely stiff, erect posture.

  7. A cause or source of renewed physical or spiritual vigor.

  8. A protective pad strapped to the bow arm of an archer.

  9. Nautical A rope by which a yard is swung and secured on a square-rigged ship.

  10. A cranklike handle with an adjustable aperture at one end for securing and turning a bit.

  11. Music A leather loop that slides to change the tension on the cord of a drum.

  12. Music

    1. A vertical line, usually accompanied by the symbol {, connecting two or more staffs.

    2. A set of staffs connected in this way.

  13. A symbol, { or }, enclosing two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit.

  14. Mathematics Either of a pair of symbols, { }, used to indicate aggregation or to clarify the grouping of quantities when parentheses and square brackets have already been used. Also called bracket.

  15. pl. brace A pair of like things: three brace of partridges.

v.   braced, brac·ing, brac·es

v.   tr.

  1. To furnish with a brace.

  2. To support or hold steady with or as if with a brace; reinforce.

  3. To prepare or position so as to be ready for impact or danger: Union members braced themselves for a confrontation with management.

  4. To confront with questions or requests.

  5. To increase the tension of.

  6. To invigorate; stimulate: "The freshness of the September morning inspired and braced him" (Thomas Hardy).

  7. Nautical To turn (the yards of a ship) by the braces.

v.   intr.
To get ready; make preparations.
Phrasal Verb(s):
brace up To summon one's strength or endurance.

[Middle English, from Old French, the two arms, from Vulgar Latin *bracia, from Latin brācchia, pl. of brācchium, arm, from Greek brakhīōn, upper arm; see mregh-u- in Indo-European roots. V., partly from Old French bracier, from Old French brace, the two arms.]
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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