BRACE

Definition

1. verb prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult. — synonyms: poise
2. verb support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace. — synonyms: steady, stabilize, stabilise
3. verb support by bracing.
4. verb cause to be alert and energetic. — synonyms: stimulate, arouse, energize, energise, perk_up
5. noun a support that steadies or strengthens something else.
6. noun two items of the same kind. — synonyms: couple, pair, twosome, twain, span, yoke, couplet, distich
7. noun a set of two similar things considered as a unit. — synonyms: pair
8. noun either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material.
9. noun a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it.
10. noun elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural). — synonyms: suspender, gallus
11. noun an appliance that corrects dental irregularities. — synonyms: braces, orthodontic_braces
12. noun a carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a socket to hold a bit for boring. — synonyms: bitstock
13. noun a structural member used to stiffen a framework. — synonyms: bracing