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Word: brace (lookup usage) (lookup stats)


Meaning:

Noun:

  • A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension
  • A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.
  • A pair, a couple; originally used of dogs, and later of animals generally and then other things. (The plural in this sense is unchanged.))
  • A piece of material used to transmit, or change the direction of, weight or pressure; any one of the pieces, in a frame or truss, which divide the structure into triangular parts. It may act as a tie, or as a strut, and serves to prevent distortion of the structure, and transverse strains in its members. A boiler brace is a diagonal stay, connecting the head with the shell.
  • A thong used to regulate the tension of a drum.
  • A vertical curved line or "curly bracket":  {  or  }  connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be considered together, such as in role, roll; or, in music, used to connect staves.
  • nautical A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon.
  • obsolete A measurement of length, originally representing a person's outstretched arms.
  • obsolete Armor for the arm; vambrace.
  • That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop.
  • The mouth of a shaft.
  • (usually plural) A system of wires, brackets, and elastic bands used to correct crooked teeth.
  • (usually plural) Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders.

Source: Wiktionary | Src Info »

Verb:

  • nautical To swing round the yards of a square rigged ship, using braces, to present a more efficient sail surface to the direction of the wind
  • To confront with questions, demands or requests
  • To prepare for something bad, as an impact or blow. ''All hands, brace for impact!''
  • To stop someone for questioning, usually said of police

Source: Wiktionary | Src Info »