name
Meaning 1
A surname from Old French.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
brace
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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/bɹeɪs/
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rhymes with -eɪs
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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CMU ARPABET: B R EY1 S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
noun
Meaning 2
A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- a brace and bit
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 3
That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 4
A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 5
A thong used to regulate the tension of a drum.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 6
The state of being braced or tight; tension.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 7
Harness; warlike preparation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 8
A curved, pointed line, also known as "curly bracket": { or } connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be considered together, such as in {role, roll}; in music, used to connect staves.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: media, publishing, typography
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 9
A pair, a couple; originally used of dogs, and later of animals generally (e.g., a brace of conies) and then other things, but rarely human persons. (In British use (as plural), this is a particularly common reference to game birds.)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Qualifier: plural brace
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 10
A piece of material used to transmit, or change the direction of, weight or pressure; any one of the pieces, in a frame or truss, which divide the structure into triangular parts. It may act as a tie, or as a strut, and serves to prevent distortion of the structure, and transverse strains in its members. A boiler brace is a diagonal stay, connecting the head with the shell.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 11
A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 12
The mouth of a shaft.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Cornwall, UK
Topics: business, mining
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 13
Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, in-plural
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 14
A system of wires, brackets, and elastic bands used to correct crooked teeth or to reduce overbite.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: plural, singular
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 15
Two goals scored by one player in a game.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: ball-games, games, hobbies, lifestyle, soccer, sports
Examples
- Coordinate term: hat trick
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 16
Two wickets taken with two consecutive deliveries.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: ball-games, cricket, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 17
Armor for the arm; vambrace.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 18
A measurement of length, originally representing a person's outstretched arms.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 19
To prepare for something bad, such as an impact or blow.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive, transitive
Examples
- All hands, brace for impact!
- Brace yourself!
- The boy has no idea about everything that's been going on. You need to brace him for what's about to happen.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 20
To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- He braced himself against the crowd.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 21
To swing round the yards of a square rigged ship, using braces, to present a more efficient sail surface to the direction of the wind.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
Examples
- to brace the yards
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 22
To stop someone for questioning, usually said of police.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 23
To confront with questions, demands or requests.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 24
To furnish with braces; to support; to prop.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- to brace a beam in a building
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 25
To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- to brace the nerves
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 26
To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 27
a structural member used to stiffen a framework
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bracing
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: strengthener, reinforcement, structural member
Narrower terms: crosspiece, gusset, gusset plate, guy, guy cable, guy wire, guy rope, stay, stringer, strut, tie, railroad tie, crosstie, sleeper
noun
Meaning 28
a carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a socket to hold a bit for boring
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: bitstock
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: stock
noun
Meaning 29
an appliance that corrects dental irregularities
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: braces, orthodontic braces
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: dental appliance
noun
Meaning 30
a support that steadies or strengthens something else
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- he wore a brace on his knee
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: strengthener, reinforcement, support
Narrower terms: ankle brace, back brace, knee brace, neck brace, skeg
noun
Meaning 31
elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: suspender, gallus
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: man's clothing
noun
Meaning 32
a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rope
Narrower terms: royal brace
noun
Meaning 33
either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: punctuation, punctuation mark
noun
Meaning 34
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: pair
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: set
Narrower terms: Tweedledum and Tweedledee, Tweedledee and Tweedledum
noun
Meaning 35
two items of the same kind
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: couple, pair, twosome, twain, span, yoke, couplet, distich, duo, duet, dyad, duad
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: two, 2, II, deuce
Narrower terms: doubleton
verb
Meaning 36
cause to be alert and energetic
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- Coffee and tea stimulate me
- This herbal infusion doesn't stimulate
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: stimulate, arouse, energize, energise, perk up
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: affect
Narrower terms: cathect, animate, recreate, reanimate, revive, renovate, repair, quicken, vivify, revivify, invigorate, reinvigorate, enliven, liven, liven up
verb
Meaning 37
support by bracing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: hold, support, sustain, hold up
Narrower terms: tread
verb
Meaning 38
support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- brace your elbows while working on the potter's wheel
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: steady, stabilize, stabilise
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: strengthen, beef up, fortify
Narrower terms: ballast, guy
verb
Meaning 39
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: poise
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fix, prepare, set up, ready, gear up, set
Narrower terms: steel, nerve
History
Etymology
English surname of Norman origin, from Old French brace (“arm”) and thus related to the noun brace.
From Middle English brace, from Old French brace (“arm”), from Latin bracchia, the nominative and accusative plural of bracchium (“arm”).
Across languages
Translations
174 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Catalan: braça — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Dutch: el — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Finnish: syli — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- French: toise — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Galician: braza — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- German: Klafter — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- German: Armspanne — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Italian: braccia — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Māori: whanganga — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Portuguese: braça — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Spanish: braza — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Turkish: kulaç — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Ottoman Turkish: قولاچ (kulaç) — measure of length representing a person's outstretched arms — see also fathom, toise
- Bulgarian: скоба (skoba) — that which holds tightly
- Bulgarian: свръзка (svrǎzka) — that which holds tightly
- Finnish: side — that which holds tightly
- German: Klammer — that which holds tightly
- German: Spange — that which holds tightly
- German: Klemme — that which holds tightly
- German: Zwinge — that which holds tightly
- German: Halter — that which holds tightly
- German: Befestigung — that which holds tightly
- German: Spanner — that which holds tightly
- German: Band — that which holds tightly
- German: Schiene — that which holds tightly
- Italian: abbraccio — that which holds tightly
- Māori: tauteka — that which holds tightly
- Russian: скоба́ (skobá) — that which holds tightly
- Russian: скре́па (skrépa) — that which holds tightly
- Spanish: abrazadera — that which holds tightly
- Ukrainian: скоба (skoba) — that which holds tightly
- Bulgarian: обтяжка (obtjažka) — arrangement for producing tension
- Finnish: kiristin — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Spanner — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Spannband — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Zwinge — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Federzug — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Spanngummi — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Spannzwinge — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Zugstab — arrangement for producing tension
- German: Bandage — arrangement for producing tension
- Italian: aggancio — arrangement for producing tension
- Italian: grappa — arrangement for producing tension
- Italian: uncino — arrangement for producing tension
- Russian: распо́рка (raspórka) — arrangement for producing tension
- Spanish: tensor — arrangement for producing tension
- Spanish: tirante — arrangement for producing tension
- Bulgarian: чифт (čift) — a pair
- Finnish: pari — a pair
- Finnish: kaksikko — a pair
- Finnish: parivaljakko — a pair
- French: paire — a pair
- French: couple — a pair
- German: Paar — a pair
- Māori: tōpū — a pair
- Scottish Gaelic: caigeann — a pair
- Spanish: pareja — a pair
- Bulgarian: подпора (podpora) — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Finnish: vinotuki — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Finnish: tuki — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Finnish: kannatin — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- French: fiche — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Zange — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Strebe — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Versteifung — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Stütze — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Stützbalken — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Knagge — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Verstrebung — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Kopfband — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Tragband — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Anker — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Band — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Windrispe — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Windrispenband — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Zugband — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- German: Spannband — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Māori: tauhōkai — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Māori: tauteka — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Māori: hōngai — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Māori: hōkai — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Māori: kaumahaki — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Russian: подпо́рка (podpórka) — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Russian: раско́с (raskós) — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Russian: упо́рка (upórka) — structural piece used for support, often diagonal
- Bulgarian: брас (bras) — rope for moving a yard
- Finnish: ahdin — rope for moving a yard
- Finnish: brassi — rope for moving a yard
- German: Brasse — rope for moving a yard
- Hebrew: מוֹשְכָה (moshkhah) — rope for moving a yard
- Russian: брас (bras) — rope for moving a yard
- Bulgarian: тиранти (tiranti) — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Dutch: bretels — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Finnish: olkaimet — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Finnish: henkselit — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- French: bretelles — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- German: Hosenträger — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Hungarian: nadrágtartó — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Italian: bretella — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Māori: perehi — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Russian: подтяжка (podtjažka) — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Spanish: tirantes — straps or bands to sustain trousers
- Finnish: kaksi maalia — two goals in one game
- Finnish: tupla — two goals in one game
- French: doublé — two goals in one game
- German: Doppelpack — two goals in one game
- German: Doppelschlag — two goals in one game
- German: Spange — two goals in one game
- Indonesian: dwigol — two goals in one game
- Italian: doppietta — two goals in one game
- Japanese: マルチゴール (maruchi gōru) — two goals in one game
- Korean: 멀티골 (meoltigol) — two goals in one game
- Spanish: doblete — two goals in one game
- Bulgarian: подготвям (podgotvjam) — transitive: to prepare for something bad
- Bulgarian: подготвя (podgotvja) — transitive: to prepare for something bad
- Esperanto: fortigi — transitive: to prepare for something bad
- Bulgarian: подготвям се (podgotvjam se) — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Bulgarian: подготвя се (podgotvja se) — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Catalan: agafar-se — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Czech: posílit se — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Czech: připravit se — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Dutch: voorbereiden — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Dutch: schrap zetten — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Esperanto: fortigi sin — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Finnish: valmistautua törmäykseen — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- French: retenir son souffle — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- German: gefasst machen — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- German: wappnen — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- German: einstellen — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- German: bereit machen — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Italian: puntellarsi — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Italian: tenersi forte — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Māori: whakaniwha — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Norwegian Bokmål: stålsette — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Norwegian Bokmål: herde — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Norwegian Nynorsk: stålsetja — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Norwegian Nynorsk: herda — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Russian: гото́виться (gotóvitʹsja) — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Russian: пригото́виться (prigotóvitʹsja) — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Russian: крепи́ться (krepítʹsja) — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Russian: держа́ться (deržátʹsja) — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Spanish: prepararse — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Spanish: agarrarse — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Spanish: aferrarse — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Spanish: afianzarse — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Spanish: asirse — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Swedish: stålsätta — intransitive: to prepare for something bad
- Czech: opřít se — to place in a position for resisting pressure
- Czech: držet se — to place in a position for resisting pressure
- German: stemmen — to place in a position for resisting pressure
- German: entgegenstemmen — to place in a position for resisting pressure
- Spanish: aferrar — to place in a position for resisting pressure
- Finnish: prassata — to swing round the yards
- Finnish: ahtaa — to swing round the yards
- French: brasser — to swing round the yards
- German: brassen — to swing round the yards
- Bulgarian: подпирам (podpiram) — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- Bulgarian: подпра (podpra) — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- French: consolider — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- French: fortifier — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- German: verstreben — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- German: ausstreben — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- Māori: whakatete — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- Māori: tauteka — to furnish with braces; to support; to prop
- Bulgarian: затягам (zatjagam) — to draw tight; to tighten
- Bulgarian: затегна (zategna) — to draw tight; to tighten
- German: anspannen — to draw tight; to tighten
- German: spannen — to draw tight; to tighten
- German: verspannen — to draw tight; to tighten
- Bulgarian: свързвам (svǎrzvam) — to bind or tie closely
- Bulgarian: свържа (svǎrža) — to bind or tie closely
- German: zusammenschnüren — to bind or tie closely
- German: verschnüren — to bind or tie closely
- Spanish: amarrar — to bind or tie closely
Real reading context