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brace  (brās)
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Tweet n. 1. A device that holds or fastens two or more parts together or in place; a clamp. 2. A device, such as a supporting beam in a building or a connecting wire or rope, that steadies or holds something else erect. 3. braces Chiefly British Suspenders. 4. An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, or hold a bodily part in the correct position. 5. often braces A dental appliance constructed of bands and wires that is fixed to the teeth to correct irregular alignment. 6. An extremely stiff, erect posture. 7. A cause or source of renewed physical or spiritual vigor. 8. A protective pad strapped to the bow arm of an archer. 9. Nautical A rope by which a yard is swung and secured on a square-rigged ship. 10. A cranklike handle with an adjustable aperture at one end for securing and turning a bit. 11. Music A leather loop that slides to change the tension on the cord of a drum. 12. Music a. A vertical line, usually accompanied by the symbol {, connecting two or more staffs. b. A set of staffs connected in this way. 13. A symbol, { or }, enclosing two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit. 14. Mathematics Either of a pair of symbols, { }, used to indicate aggregation or to clarify the grouping of quantities when parentheses and square brackets have already been used. Also called bracket. 15. pl. brace A pair of like things: three brace of partridges. v. braced, brac·ing, brac·es v.tr. 1. To furnish with a brace. 2. To support or hold steady with or as if with a brace; reinforce. 3. To prepare or position so as to be ready for impact or danger: Union members braced themselves for a confrontation with management. 4. To confront with questions or requests. 5. To increase the tension of. 6. To invigorate; stimulate: "The freshness of the September morning inspired and braced him" (Thomas Hardy). 7. Nautical To turn (the yards of a ship) by the braces. v.intr. Phrasal Verb: To get ready; make preparations. brace up To summon one's strength or endurance. [Middle English, from Old French, the two arms, from Vulgar Latin *bracia, from Latin bracchia, brāchia, pl. of bracchium, brāchium, arm, from Greek brakhīōn, upper arm; see mregh-u- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. V., partly from Old French bracier, from Old French brace, the two arms.]  (click for a larger image) bracetop: knee brace bottom: orthodontic braces  (click for a larger image) brace |
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