from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Brace \Brace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Braced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bracing}.]
1. To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace
a beam in a building.
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2. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension;
to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves.
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And welcome war to brace her drums. --Campbell.
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3. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.
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The women of China, by bracing and binding them from
their infancy, have very little feet. --Locke.
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Some who spurs had first braced on. --Sir W.
Scott.
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4. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold
firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd.
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A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced.
--Fairfax.
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5. (Naut.) To move around by means of braces; as, to brace
the yards.
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{To brace about} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) round for the
contrary tack.
{To brace a yard} (Naut.), to move it horizontally by means
of a brace.
{To brace in} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by hauling in the
weather brace.
{To brace one's self}, to call up one's energies. "He braced
himself for an effort which he was little able to make."
--J. D. Forbes.
{To brace to} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) by checking or easing
off the lee brace, and hauling in the weather one, to
assist in tacking.
{To brace up} (Naut.), to bring (a yard) nearer the direction
of the keel by hauling in the lee brace.
{To brace up sharp} (Naut.), to turn (a yard) as far forward
as the rigging will permit.
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