something that holds parts together or in place, as a clasp or clamp.

anything that imparts rigidity or steadiness.

Also called bitbrace , bitstock. Machinery . a device for holding and turning a bit for boring or drilling.

Building Trades . a piece of timber, metal, etc., for supporting or positioning another piece or portion of a framework.

Nautical . (on a square-rigged ship) a rope by which a yard is swung about and secured horizontally.

Music . leather loops sliding upon the tightening cords of a drum to change their tension and the drum's pitch.

Often, braces. Dentistry . a round or flat metal wire placed against the surfaces of the teeth for straightening irregularly arranged teeth.

Medicine/Medical . an appliance for supporting a weak joint or joints.

braces, Chiefly British . suspender ( def. 1 ) .

a pair; couple

a brace of grouse.

Printing .

one of two characters used to enclose words or lines to be considered together.

bracket ( def. 7 ) .

Music . connected staves.

a protective band covering the wrist or lower part of the arm, esp. a bracer.

Military . a position of attention with exaggeratedly stiff posture.

to furnish, fasten, or strengthen with or as if with a brace.

to fix firmly; make steady; secure against pressure or impact

He braces himself when the ship rolls. Brace yourself for some bad news.

to make tight; increase the tension of.

to act as a stimulant to.

Nautical . to swing or turn around (the yards of a ship) by means of the braces.

Military . to order (a subordinate) to assume and maintain a brace.

Military . to assume a brace. ?

brace in, Nautical . to brace (the yards of a square-rigged vessel) more nearly athwartships, as for running free. ?

brace up

Informal . to summon up one's courage; become resolute

She choked back her tears and braced up.

verb

let go , loosen , unfasten

noun

arm , band , bar , bearing , block , bolster , boom , bracer , bracket , buttress , cantilever , clamp , girder , grip , guy , lever , mainstay , peg , prop , rafter , reinforcement , rib , shore , skid , splice , splint , staff , stanchion , stave , stay , stirrup , strengthener , strut , sustainer , truss , underpinning , vice , crutch , couplet , doublet , duet , duo , match , pair , two , twosome , yoke

verb

bandage , bind , bolster , buttress , fasten , fortify , gird , hold up , prepare , prop , ready , reinforce , shove , steady , steel , strap , strengthen , support , tie , tighten , uphold , forearm , arm , case , clench , couple , crutch , duo , invigorate , leg , mark , nerve , pair , rafter , shore , splint , stay , stiffen , suspender , truss , two , yoke