brace

noun

1. a support that steadies or strengthens something else

- he wore a brace on his knee

Definition categories: man–made, reinforcement, strengthener, support

2. two items of the same kind

Similar word(s): couple, couplet, distich, duad, duet, duo, dyad, pair, span, twain, twosome, yoke

Definition categories: quantity, deuce, two

3. a set of two similar things considered as a unit

Similar word(s): pair

Definition categories: group, set

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

Definition categories: communication, punctuation

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

Definition categories: man–made, rope

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

Similar word(s): gallus, suspender

Definition categories: man–made

7. an appliance that corrects dental irregularities

Similar word(s): braces

Definition categories: man–made

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

Similar word(s): bitstock

Definition categories: man–made, stock

9. a structural member used to stiffen a framework

Similar word(s): bracing

Definition categories: man–made, reinforcement, strengthener

verb

1. prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult

Similar word(s): poise

Definition categories: emotion, fix, prepare, ready, set

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

- brace your elbows while working on the potter's wheel

Similar word(s): stabilise, stabilize, steady

Definition categories: contact, fortify, strengthen

3. support by bracing

Definition categories: contact, hold, support, sustain

4. cause to be alert and energetic

Similar word(s): arouse, energise, energize, stimulate

Definition categories: body, affect