bracea clamp; a support for a bodily part; a device that holds something erectNot to be confused with:braise ? to brown and then cook slowlybraze ? to solder metals togetherAbused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embreebrace (br?s)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. To get ready; make preparations.Phrasal Verb: brace up To summon one’s strength or endurance.[Middle English, from Old French, the two arms, from Vulgar Latin *bracia, from Latin bracchia, br?chia, pl. of bracchium, br?chium, arm, from Greek brakh??n, upper arm; see mregh-u- in Indo-European roots. V., partly from Old French bracier, from Old French brace, the two arms.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.brace (bre?s) n1. (Mechanical Engineering) a hand tool for drilling holes, with a socket to hold the drill at one end and a cranked handle by which the tool can be turned. In full: hand brace See also brace and bit2. something that steadies, binds, or holds up another thing3. (Building) a structural member, such as a beam or prop, used to stiffen a framework4. (Instruments) a sliding loop, usually of leather, attached to the cords of a drum: used to change its tension5. a pair; two, esp of game birds: a brace of partridges. 6. (Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) either of a pair of characters, { }, used for connecting lines of printing or writing or as a third sign of aggregation in complex mathematical or logical expressions that already contain parentheses and square brackets7. (Classical Music) Also called: accolade a line or bracket connecting two or more staves of music8. (Dentistry) (often plural) an appliance of metal bands and wires that can be tightened to maintain steady pressure on the teeth for correcting uneven alignment9. (Medicine) med any of various appliances for supporting the trunk, a limb, or teeth10. (Archery) another word for bracer211. (Nautical Terms) (in square-rigged sailing ships) a rope that controls the movement of a yard and thus the position of a sail12. (Clothing & Fashion) See bracesvb (mainly tr) 13. to provide, strengthen, or fit with a brace14. to steady or prepare (oneself or something) as before an impact15. (also intr) to stimulate; freshen; invigorate: sea air is bracing. 16. (Nautical Terms) to control the horizontal movement of (the yards of a square-rigged sailing ship)[C14: from Old French: the two arms, from Latin bracchia arms]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014brace (bre?s) n., v. braced, brac?ing. n. 1. something that holds parts together or in place, as a clasp or clamp. 2. anything that imparts rigidity or steadiness. 3. a device for holding and turning a bit for boring or drilling; bitstock. 4. a piece of timber, metal, etc., for supporting or positioning another part of a framework. 5. (on a square-rigged ship) a rope by which a yard is swung about and secured horizontally. 6. Usu., braces. an oral appliance consisting generally of wires or bands, used to correct misalignment of the teeth and jaws by exerting pressure on the teeth and their supporting structures. 7. an orthopedic appliance for supporting a weak joint or joints. 8. braces, Chiefly Brit. suspender (def. 1). 9. a pair; couple: a brace of grouse. 10. a. one of two characters {or} used to enclose words or lines to be considered together. b. bracket (def. 4). 11. a printed brace connecting musical staves. 12. a protective band for the wrist or lower arm, esp. a bracer. 13. Mil. a position of attention with exaggeratedly stiff posture. v.t. 14. to furnish, fasten, or strengthen with or as if with a brace. 15. to steady (oneself), as against a shock. 16. to make tight; increase the tension of. 17. to act as a stimulant to. 18. to swing or turn around (the yards of a ship) by means of the braces. 19. brace up, Informal. to summon up one’s courage; become resolute. [1300?50; Middle English