brace

1. n. That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop. Source: opted

2. n. A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension, as a cord on the side of a drum. Source: opted

3. n. The state of being braced or tight; tension. Source: opted

4. n. 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. Source: opted

5. n. A vertical curved line connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be taken together; thus, boll, bowl; or, in music, used to connect staves. Source: opted

6. n. A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon. Source: opted

7. n. A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock. Source: opted

8. n. A pair; a couple; as, a brace of ducks; now rarely applied to persons, except familiarly or with some contempt. Source: opted

9. n. Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders. Source: opted

10. n. Harness; warlike preparation. Source: opted

11. n. Armor for the arm; vantbrace. Source: opted

12. n. The mouth of a shaft. Source: opted

13. v. t. To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace a beam in a building. Source: opted

14. v. t. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves. Source: opted

15. v. t. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly. Source: opted

16. v. t. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd. Source: opted

17. v. t. To move around by means of braces; as, to brace the yards. Source: opted

18. v. i. To get tone or vigor; to rouse one's energies; -- with up. Source: opted

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