Brace - Definition

n 1: a support that steadies or strengthens something else; "he
wore a brace on his knee"
2: two items of the same kind [syn: couple, pair, twosome,
twain, brace, span, yoke, couplet, distich,
duo, duet, dyad, duad]
3: a set of two similar things considered as a unit [syn:
pair, brace]
4: either of two punctuation marks ({ or ) used to enclose
textual material
5: a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard
about and secure it
6: elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the
plural) [syn: brace, suspender, gallus]
7: an appliance that corrects dental irregularities [syn:
brace, braces, orthodontic braces]
8: a carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a
socket to hold a bit for boring [syn: brace, bitstock]
9: a structural member used to stiffen a framework [syn:
brace, bracing]
v 1: prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
[syn: brace, poise]
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" [syn: brace, steady, stabilize, stabilise]
3: support by bracing
4: cause to be alert and energetic; "Coffee and tea stimulate
me"; "This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate" [syn:
stimulate, arouse, brace, energize, energise, perk
up] [ant: calm, de-energise, de-energize, sedate,
tranquilize, tranquillise, tranquillize]