26984 words

brace

14 definitions • 21 examples
1
something that is used to support or connect things, or to make something stronger:

Examples:

He was recently fitted with a brace for his bad back.
2
a set of connected wires that is attached to a person's teeth in order to make them straight:

Examples:

I had to wear a brace for my crooked teeth when I was a teenager.
3
a pair of narrow straps that stretch from the front of the trousers over your shoulders to the back to hold them up:

Examples:

a pair of braces
4
supports that are fastened to the legs of people who have difficulties with walking:

Examples:

The photos don't show the heavy steel braces that meant he could walk despite this condition.
5
two things of the same type, especially two wild birds that have been killed for sport or food:

Examples:

a brace of pheasants
6
a vertical curved or straight line at the beginning of two or more lines of written musical notes, used to show that both lines should be played together:

Examples:

It is more effective to reserve the brace for joining the staves of a single instrument.
A brace can be used to join the bass and treble stave, or to join several staves that represent a single instrument.
7
the symbol { or } that is used, for example, to put around a list of numbers, words, or other information to show that it should be considered as separate in some way:

Examples:

A group is a collection of text, control words, and control symbols, enclosed in a set of braces.
Brace symbols function as field delimiters.
Probably anyone doing this type of programming is familiar with braces.
8
to support an object in order to stop it from falling down:

Examples:

The side wall of the old house was braced with a wooden support.
9
to prepare yourself physically or mentally for something unpleasant:

Examples:

brace yourself for something The passengers were told to brace themselves (= to press their bodies hard against something or hold them very stiff) for a crash landing.
10
to prepare yourself physically or mentally for something unpleasant:

Examples:

brace yourself for something The passengers were told to brace themselves (= to press their bodies hard against something or hold them very stiff) for a crash landing.
She told me she had some bad news for me and I braced myself for a shock.
Time seems to stand still as you brace yourself for the impact.
The next few days might be quite challenging so I'd better brace myself.
We're bracing ourselves for the first snow of winter.
11
to prepare yourself physically or mentally for something unpleasant:

Examples:

The weather forecasters told us to brace ourselves for a heavy storm.
12
to support yourself or a part of your body:

Examples:

She braced herself against the dresser.
13
To brace an object is to support or strengthen it:

Examples:

You will need to brace the walls.
14
something that supports, fastens, or strengthens:

Examples:

He was recently fitted with a brace for his bad back.

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