Library / English Dictionary

BRAID

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Trimming used to decorate clothes or curtains

Synonyms:

braid; braiding; gold braid

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("braid" is a kind of...):

passementerie; trim; trimming (a decoration or adornment on a garment)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "braid"):

aglet; aiglet; aiguilette (ornamental tagged cord or braid on the shoulder of a uniform)

soutache (a narrow braid used as a decorative trimming)

Derivation:

braid (decorate with braids or ribbons)

braid (make by braiding or interlacing)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair

Synonyms:

braid; plait; tress; twist

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("braid" is a kind of...):

coif; coiffure; hair style; hairdo; hairstyle (the arrangement of the hair (especially a woman's hair))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "braid"):

queue (a braid of hair at the back of the head)

pigtail (a plait of braided hair)

Derivation:

braid (form or weave into a braid or braids)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Form or weave into a braid or braids

Example:

braid hair

Synonyms:

braid; pleach

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "braid" is one way to...):

interweave; weave (interlace by or as if by weaving)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They braid their hair

Antonym:

unbraid (undo the braids of)

Derivation:

braid (a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Decorate with braids or ribbons

Example:

braid a collar

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "braid" is one way to...):

adorn; beautify; decorate; embellish; grace; ornament (make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

braid (trimming used to decorate clothes or curtains)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make by braiding or interlacing

Example:

lace a tablecloth

Synonyms:

braid; lace; plait

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "braid" is one way to...):

tissue; weave (create a piece of cloth by interlacing strands of fabric, such as wool or cotton)

Domain category:

handicraft (a craft that requires skillful hands)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

braid (trimming used to decorate clothes or curtains)

Credits

 Context examples: 

"It's not the fashion, but it's becoming, and I can't afford to make a fright of myself," she used to say, when advised to frizzle, puff, or braid, as the latest style commanded.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, fine as spun gold, and when she heard the voice of the enchantress she unfastened her braided tresses, wound them round one of the hooks of the window above, and then the hair fell twenty ells down, and the enchantress climbed up by it.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

One, to be sure, had hair a shade darker than the other, and there was a difference in their style of wearing it; Mary's pale brown locks were parted and braided smooth: Diana's duskier tresses covered her neck with thick curls.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Her sisters braided up her pretty hair, and the only ornaments she wore were the lilies of the valley, which 'her John' liked best of all the flowers that grew.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Meg drew her aside, under pretense of pinning up a loose braid, and said approvingly, "It was dreadfully provoking, but you kept your temper, and I'm so glad, Jo."

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Michaelis opened the drawer nearest his hand. There was nothing in it but a small expensive dog leash made of leather and braided silver. It was apparently new.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)