Definition of brace
braced
;bracing
transitive verb
1 archaic : to fasten tightly : bind
2a : to prepare for use by making taut brace a drumb : prepare, steel brace yourself for the shockc : invigorate, freshen … I took the shower and it braced me up a bit. — Raymond Chandler
3 nautical : to turn (a sail yard) by means of a brace (see 2brace 4b)
4a : to furnish or support with a brace (see 2brace 4) heavily braced against the windb : to make stronger : reinforce nerves … braced by long familiarity with danger — T. B. Macaulay
5 : to put or plant firmly braces his foot in the stirrup
6 : to waylay especially with demands or questions : confront when braced, Willie had naturally denied his identity — Time
intransitive verb
1 : to take heart —used with up brace up and do something — Upton Sinclair
2 : to get ready (as for an attack) brace for the storm
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Examples of brace in a Sentence
He braced the gate with a piece of wood.
Steel columns brace the structure.
She braced herself with one hand and reached up with the other.
Origin and Etymology of brace
Middle English, from Anglo-French bracer to embrace, from brace
First Known Use: 14th century
brace
Definition of brace
braces
1 : something (such 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 (see 1bit 1a(2))
4 : something that transmits, directs, resists, or supports weight or pressure: such asa : a diagonal piece of structural material that serves to strengthen something (such as a framework) walls held up with bracesb nautical : a rope rove through a block at the end of a ship's yard (see 4yard 3) to swing it horizontallyc braces plural, clothing : suspendersd medical : an appliance for supporting a body part has braces on his legs a neck bracee braces plural, dentistry : an orthodontic appliance usually of metallic wire that is used especially to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth had braces as a teenager
5a : one of two marks { } used to connect words or items to be considered togetherb music : one of these marks connecting two or more musical staffs (see 1staff 3) carrying parts to be performed simultaneouslyc : bracket 3a numbers written in braces
6 : a position of rigid attention on review, his uniform and brace were technically correct — Time
7 : something that arouses energy or strengthens morale
Examples of brace in a Sentence
We need to add some sort of brace to hold the shelf in place.
He could walk with braces on his legs.
She wears a back brace.
Origin and Etymology 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: 15th century
BRACE Defined for English Language Learners
brace
playDefinition of brace for English Language Learners
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: to get ready for something difficult or unpleasant ( chiefly US )
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: to give added physical support or strength to (something)
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: to support (yourself) by leaning against something or holding something
brace
Definition of brace for English Language Learners
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: a part that adds physical strength or support
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: a device that supports a part of the body
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: a device that is attached to teeth to make them straight
BRACE Defined for Kids
Definition of brace for Students
braced
;bracing
1 : to make strong, firm, or steady I stood up, bracing my body as well as I could against the wind. — Katherine Paterson, Jacob Have I Loved
2 : to get ready They braced for a storm.
Definition of brace for Students
1 : something that adds strength or support a neck brace
2 braces plural : a usually wire device worn to correct the position of teeth
3 : one of a pair of marks { } used to connect words or items to be considered together
4 : two of a kind a brace of quail
5 : a tool with a U-shaped bend that is used to turn wood-boring bits
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of brace
1: an appliance that gives support to movable parts (as a joint or a fractured bone), to weak muscles (as in paralysis), or to strained ligaments (as of the lower back)
2braces plural : an orthodontic appliance usually of metallic wire that is used especially to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth and that is not removable by the patient
brace
Medical Definition of brace
braced
;bracing
: to furnish or support with a brace
Learn More about brace
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See words that rhyme with brace Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for brace Spanish Central: Translation of brace Nglish: Translation of brace for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of brace for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brace
Seen and Heard
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