brace (
http://definr.com/brace)
n 1: a support that steadies or strengthens something else; "he
wore a brace on his knee"
2: two items of the same kind [syn:
couple,
doubleton,
pair,
twosome,
twain,
span,
yoke,
couplet,
distich,
duo,
duet,
dyad,
duad]
3: a set of two similar things considered as a unit [syn:
pair]
4: either of two punctuation marks (
or ) used to enclose
textual material
5: a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard
about and secure it
6: elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the
plural) [syn:
suspender,
gallus]
7: an appliance that corrects dental irregularities [syn:
braces]
8: the stock of a tool used for turning a drilling bit [syn:
bitstock]
9: a structural member used to stiffen a framework [syn:
bracing]
v 1: prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
[syn:
poise]
2: support or hold steady, as if with a brace; "brace your
elbows while working on the potter's wheel" [syn:
steady]
3: support by bracing
4: cause to be alert and energetic; "Coffee and tea stimulate
me" [syn:
stimulate,
arouse,
energize,
energise, {perk
up}] [ant:
de-energize,
sedate]