BRACE, n. [L. brachium; Gr. the arm.] 1. In architecture, a piece of timber framed in with bevel joints, to keep the building from swerving either way. It extends like an arm from the post or main timber.2. That which holds any thing tight; a cincture or bandage. The braces of a drum are not bands.3. A pair; a couple; as a brace of ducks. It is used of persons only in contempt, or in the style of drollery.4. In music, a double curve at the beginning of stave.5. A thick strap, which supports a carriage on wheels.6. A crooked line in printing, connecting two or more words or lines; thus boll, bowl. It is used to connect triplets in poetry.7. In marine language, a rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, to square or traverse the yard. The name is given also to pieces of iron which are used as supports; such as of the poop lanterns, &c.8. Brace, or brasse,is a foreign measure answering to our fathom.9. Harness; warlike preparation; as we say, girded for battle. 10. Tension; tightness. 11. Braces, plu., suspenders, the straps that sustain pantaloons, &c. 12. The braces of a drum, are the cords on the sides of it, for tightening the heads and snares. BRACE, v.t. To draw tight; to tighten; to bind or tie close; to make tight and firm. 1. To make tense; to strain up; as, to brace a drum.2. To furnish with braces; as, to brace a building.3. To strengthen; to increase tension; as, to brace the nerves.4. In marine language, to bring the yards to either side. To brace about is to turn the yards round for the contrary tack. To brace sharp is to cause the yards to have the smallest possible angle with the keel. To brace to is to check or ease off the leg braces, and round-in the weather ones, to assist in tacking. |
Why Donate?
Here are a number of reasons:
To indicate your approval.
To express your appreciation.
To help pay for website expenses and keep this website online.
Donate Using PayPal
If you have a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or a PayPal account, donating is easy. Just click the dollar amount below to donate:
Donations from Outside of the United States
We welcome donations from anywhere in the world and in any currency. PayPal accepts a number of international currencies.
Donations by Other Methods
If you wish to donate via direct bank deposit or mail a cheque or money order, please
email me
.
|
| Firefox Plugin |
| I | S |
 |
1828 Webster's |
Add Search
To Your Site |
[ + ] |
|
|
|
In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
