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BRACE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
A structural member used to stiffen a framework
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
reinforcement; strengthener (a device designed to provide additional strength)
structural member (support that is a constituent part of any structure or building)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "brace"):
crosspiece (a transverse brace)
gusset; gusset plate (a metal plate used to strengthen a joist)
guy; guy cable; guy rope; guy wire (a cable, wire, or rope that is used to brace something (especially a tent))
stay ((nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or spar)
stringer (brace consisting of a longitudinal member to strengthen a fuselage or hull)
strut (brace consisting of a bar or rod used to resist longitudinal compression)
crosstie; railroad tie; sleeper; tie (one of the cross braces that support the rails on a railway track)
Holonyms ("brace" is a part of...):
frame; framework (a structure supporting or containing something)
Derivation:
brace (support by bracing)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a socket to hold a bit for boring
Synonyms:
bitstock; brace
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
stock (the handle end of some implements or tools)
Holonyms ("brace" is a part of...):
brace and bit (a drill consisting of a bit and a brace to hold and turn it)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An appliance that corrects dental irregularities
Synonyms:
brace; braces; orthodontic braces
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
dental appliance (a device to repair teeth or replace missing teeth)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A support that steadies or strengthens something else
Example:
he wore a brace on his knee
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
reinforcement; strengthener (a device designed to provide additional strength)
support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "brace"):
skeg (a brace that extends from the rear of the keel to support the rudderpost)
neck brace (a brace worn to steady the neck)
knee brace (a brace worn to strengthen the knee)
back brace (a brace worn to support the back)
ankle brace (a brace worn to strengthen the ankle)
Derivation:
brace (support by bracing)
brace (support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
man's clothing (clothing that is designed for men to wear)
Meronyms (parts of "brace"):
shoulder strap; strap (a band that goes over the shoulder and supports a garment or bag)
Domain usage:
plural; plural form (the form of a word that is used to denote more than one)
Sense 6
Meaning:
A rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
rope (a strong line)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "brace"):
royal brace (a brace to secure the royal mast)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
punctuation; punctuation mark (the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases)
Sense 8
Meaning:
A set of two similar things considered as a unit
Synonyms:
brace; pair
Classified under:
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
set (a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "brace"):
Tweedledee and Tweedledum; Tweedledum and Tweedledee (any two people who are hard to tell apart)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Two items of the same kind
Synonyms:
brace; couple; couplet; distich; duad; duet; duo; dyad; pair; span; twain; twosome; yoke
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Hypernyms ("brace" is a kind of...):
2; deuce; II; two (the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number)
Meronyms (parts of "brace"):
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "brace"):
doubleton ((bridge) a pair of playing cards that are the only cards in their suit in the hand dealt to a player)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they brace ... he / she / it braces
Past simple: braced
Past participle: braced
-ing form: bracing
Sense 1
Meaning:
Cause to be alert and energetic
Example:
This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate
Synonyms:
arouse; brace; energise; energize; perk up; stimulate
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "brace" is one way to...):
affect (act physically on; have an effect upon)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "brace"):
cathect (inject with libidinal energy)
animate; quicken; reanimate; recreate; renovate; repair; revive; revivify; vivify (give new life or energy to)
invigorate; reinvigorate (impart vigor, strength, or vitality to)
animate; enliven; invigorate; liven; liven up (make lively)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
bracer (a tonic or restorative (especially a drink of liquor))
Sense 2
Meaning:
Support by bracing
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "brace" is one way to...):
hold; hold up; support; sustain (be the physical support of; carry the weight of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "brace"):
tread (brace (an archer's bow) by pressing the foot against the center)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Derivation:
brace (a structural member used to stiffen a framework)
brace (a support that steadies or strengthens something else)
bracing (a structural member used to stiffen a framework)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace
Example:
brace your elbows while working on the potter's wheel
Synonyms:
brace; stabilise; stabilize; steady
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "brace" is one way to...):
beef up; fortify; strengthen (make strong or stronger)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "brace"):
ballast (make steady with a ballast)
guy (steady or support with a guy wire or cable)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Derivation:
brace (a support that steadies or strengthens something else)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
Synonyms:
brace; poise
Classified under:
Hypernyms (to "brace" is one way to...):
fix; gear up; prepare; ready; set; set up (make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "brace"):
nerve; steel (get ready for something difficult or unpleasant)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Context examples:
Most people who receive orthodontic care are kids, but adults get braces, too.
(Orthodontia, NIH)
Cosmetic dentistry is different from orthodontic treatment, which can straighten your teeth with braces or other devices.
(Cosmetic Dentistry, NIH)
You can treat symptoms with medicines, braces, surgery, and physical therapy.
(Friedreich's Ataxia, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
A gel used to lessen pain from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy or radiation therapy, oral surgery, braces, or disease.
(Gelclair, NCI Dictionary)
Sometimes, and rarely, he managed to get his feet to the earth and for a moment to brace himself against White Fang.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
His braced fore paws dislodged a pebble, and with sharp-pricked ears and peering eyes he watched the fall of the pebble till it struck at their feet.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
There was a sharp bracing air; the ground was dry; the sea was crisp and clear; the sun was diffusing abundance of light, if not much warmth; and everything was fresh and lively.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
It is women like you who brace men up.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I said this whilst I knelt down at, and unlocked a trunk which contained a brace of loaded pistols: I mean to shoot myself.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
But he braced himself to the shock of Spitz’s charge, then joined the flight out on the lake.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
