Meaning of 'brace'

noun

a structural member used to stiffen a framework

Synonyms: bracing

noun

a carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a socket to hold a bit for boring

Synonyms: bitstock

noun

an appliance that corrects dental irregularities

Synonyms: braces orthodontic braces

noun

a support that steadies or strengthens something else

Example: "They wore a brace on their knee."

noun

elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)

Synonyms: suspender gallus

noun

a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it

noun

either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material

noun

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

Synonyms: pair

noun

two items of the same kind

Synonyms: span

verb

to support by placing braces

Example: "The engineers braced the roof with a couple of trusses."

verb

to support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace

Example: "I braced my elbows while working on the potter's wheel."

Synonyms: steady

verb

to prepare oneself for something unpleasant or difficult

Example: "I am bracing for impact."

Synonyms: poise