WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024
brace /breɪs/USA pronunciation
n., v., braced, brac•ing.
n. [countable]
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024n. [countable]
- something that holds parts in place, such as a clamp;
something that helps make something rigid:He nailed in a brace to support the beams. - DentistryUsually, braces. [plural] a set of wires or bands attached to the teeth, used to straighten crooked teeth:got braces when she was twelve.
- Surgerya device on part of a person's body for supporting a weak joint or joints.
- a pair;
couple: a brace of birds killed in that hunting trip. -
- Printingone of two characters, [ or ], used to enclose words or lines to be considered together.
v. [~ + object]
- to furnish, fasten, or strengthen with or as if with a brace:He braced the sagging wall with a piece of wood.
- to prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant:[~ + oneself]couldn't brake in time and braced herself for the crash.
brace
(brās),USA pronunciation n., v., braced, brac•ing.
n.
v.t.
v.i.
n.
- something that holds parts together or in place, as a clasp or clamp.
- anything that imparts rigidity or steadiness.
- Building, Mechanical EngineeringAlso called bitbrace, bitstock. [Mach.]a device for holding and turning a bit for boring or drilling.
- Buildinga piece of timber, metal, etc., for supporting or positioning another piece or portion of a framework.
- Nautical, Naval Terms(on a square-rigged ship) a rope by which a yard is swung about and secured horizontally.
- Music and Danceleather loops sliding upon the tightening cords of a drum to change their tension and the drum's pitch.
- DentistryOften, braces. a round or flat metal wire placed against the surfaces of the teeth for straightening irregularly arranged teeth.
- Medicinean appliance for supporting a weak joint or joints.
- British Terms, Clothing braces, [Chiefly Brit.]suspender (def. 1).
- a pair;
couple:a brace of grouse. - [Printing.]
- Printingone of two characters { or } used to enclose words or lines to be considered together.
- Printingbracket (def. 7).
- Music and Danceconnected staves.
- a protective band covering the wrist or lower part of the arm, esp. a bracer.
- Militarya position of attention with exaggeratedly stiff posture.
v.t.
- to furnish, fasten, or strengthen with or as if with a brace.
- to fix firmly;
make steady;
secure against pressure or impact:He braces himself when the ship rolls. Brace yourself for some bad news. - to make tight;
increase the tension of. - to act as a stimulant to.
- Nautical, Naval Termsto swing or turn around (the yards of a ship) by means of the braces.
- Militaryto order (a subordinate) to assume and maintain a brace.
v.i.
- Militaryto assume a brace.
- brace in, [Naut.]to brace (the yards of a square-rigged vessel) more nearly athwartships, as for running free.
- brace up, [Informal.]to summon up one's courage;
become resolute:She choked back her tears and braced up.
- Anglo-French bracier, derivative of brace; compare embrace1), in part. derivative of the noun, nominal
- Greek; see brachium); (verb, verbal) in part Middle English bracen (
- Latin brā(c)chia plural (taken as feminine singular) of brā(c)chium arm (
- Anglo-French, Old French: pair of arms
- (noun, nominal) Middle English 1300–50
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged vise.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged stay, prop, strut.
- 10.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See pair.
- 15.See corresponding entry in Unabridged support, fortify, prop.
- 17.See corresponding entry in Unabridged tauten, tense.
- 18.See corresponding entry in Unabridged fortify.
'brace up' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):