bracket

¹brack·et

noun \ˈbra-kət\

Definition of BRACKET

1

: an overhanging member that projects from a structure (as a wall) and is usually designed to support a vertical load or to strengthen an angle

2

: a fixture (as for holding a lamp) projecting from a wall or column

3

a : one of a pair of marks [ ] used in writing and printing to enclose matter or in mathematics and logic as signs of aggregation —called also square bracket

b : one of the pair of marks < > used to enclose matter —called also angle bracket

c : parenthesis 3

d : brace 5b

4

: a section of a continuously numbered or graded series (as age ranges or income levels)

5

: a pairing of opponents in an elimination tournament

Examples of BRACKET

1. The shelf is held up with two brackets.
2. There are wall brackets in the garage for the rakes and shovels.
3. She is taller than average for her age bracket.
4. He earned enough to put him in a higher tax bracket.
5. She is now in a lower income bracket than before.

Origin of BRACKET

perhaps from Middle French braguette codpiece, from diminutive of brague breeches, from Old Occitan braga, from Latin braca, of Celtic origin — more at breech

First Known Use: 1580

Related to BRACKET

Synonyms

class, category, classification, division, family, genus, grade, group, kind, league, order, rank(s), rubric, set, species, tier, type

Related Words

description, feather, ilk, kidney, like, manner, nature, sort; branch, section, speciality, specialty, subclass, subdivision, subgroup, subspecies, variety; breed, race; generation; heading, label, title

Rhymes with BRACKET

jacket, packet, placket, racket

²bracket

transitive verb

Definition of BRACKET

1

a : to place within or as if within brackets <editorial comments are bracketed> <news stories bracketed by commercials>

b : to eliminate from consideration <bracket off politics>

c : to extend around so as to encompass : include <test pressures … which bracket virtually the entire range of passenger-car tire pressures — Consumer Reports>

2

: to furnish or fasten with brackets

3

: to put in the same category or group <bracketed in a tie for third>

4

a : to get the range on (a target) by firing over and short

b : to establish the limits of <bracketed the problem neatly>

c : to take photographs of at more than one exposure in order to ensure that the desired exposure is obtained

Examples of BRACKET

1. <I wouldn't exactly bracket your paintings with those of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.>

First Known Use of BRACKET

circa 1847

Related to BRACKET

Synonyms

analogize, assimilate, compare, equate, liken

Antonyms

contrast

Related Words

associate, connect, couple, link; allude, refer, relate; equal, match, parallel

Rhymes with BRACKET

jacket, racket