brace

¹brace

verb \ˈbrās\

braced brac·ing

Definition of BRACE

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 <braces 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)

Examples of BRACE

1. He braced the gate with a piece of wood.
2. Steel columns brace the structure.
3. She braced herself with one hand and reached up with the other.

Origin of BRACE

Middle English, from Anglo-French bracer to embrace, from brace

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BRACE

Synonyms

amp (up), animate, energize, enliven, fillip, fire, ginger (up), invigorate, jazz (up), juice up, jump-start, liven (up), pep (up), quicken, spike, stimulate, vitalize, vivify, zip (up)

Antonyms

damp, dampen, deaden, dull, kill

Related Words

arouse, awake, awaken, raise, rouse, stir, wake (up); activate, actuate, drive, impel, motivate, motive, move, propel; charge, electrify, galvanize; enkindle, excite, ferment, foment, incite, inflame (also enflame), instigate, kindle, provoke, set off, spark, trigger, turn on, whip (up); abet, boost, buoy, cheer, embolden, fortify, hearten, infuse, inspire, lift, rally, steel, strengthen; reactivate, reanimate, reawake, reawaken, recharge, recreate, reenergize, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, reinvigorate, rejuvenate, rekindle, renew, restimulate, resurrect, resuscitate, revitalize, revive

Near Antonyms

burn out, debilitate, do in, drain, enervate, enfeeble, exhaust, fag, fatigue, harass, kayo, knock out, sap, tucker (out), undermine, wash out, weaken, wear, wear out, weary; check, curb, inhibit, jade, quell, quench, repress, restrain, slow, still, stunt, suppress; daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit

Rhymes with BRACE

ace, base, bass, case, chase, dace, face, grace, lace, mace, Mace, Naas, pace, place, plaice, prase, race, res, space, Thrace, trace, vase, Wace

²brace

noun

plural brac·es

Definition of BRACE

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

Examples of BRACE

1. We need to add some sort of brace to hold the shelf in place.
2. He could walk with braces on his legs.
3. She wears a back brace.

Origin of BRACE

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BRACE

Synonyms

support, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, reinforcement, shore, spur, stay, underpinning

Related Words

shoring; column, pedestal, pilaster, pillar; arch, bolster, bracket, cantilever, girder; bearing; crutch, peg, post, stake, stanchion, stand, stilt, strut, truss; base, foundation, frame