brace
/breɪs/ (bre, ipa) · /breɪs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbrās/ (ame, mw)
brace — noun
1. a bar, frame, clasp, or similar part that keeps something firm, joined, or in pl
a bar, frame, clasp, or similar part that keeps something firm, joined, or in place.
A steel brace held the garden gate straight after last winter's storm.
metal brace supporting a damaged object
Workers added wooden braces under the stage before the school concert.
add braces under + structure
The cracked shelf needed a small metal brace at each corner.
A leather brace kept the two tool bags fastened to the bicycle.
用法筆記
Common with physical structures, furniture, and fastenings. Distinguish from noun sense 4, which is worn on the body rather than built into an object.
常見錯誤
2. a wire device worn on the teeth to move them into a straighter line.
a wire device worn on the teeth to move them into a straighter line.
Hana smiled carefully after the dentist tightened her braces on Monday.
tighten braces at the dentist
The boy forgot his lunch because his new braces made chewing slow.
At twelve, Priya started wearing braces to fix a crowded front row.
After two years in braces, Diego could finally bite evenly.
- dental braces
the full everyday name for this device
- orthodontic appliance
more technical term used by dentists
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural as 'braces' when talking about dental treatment. Distinguish from noun sense 3, which is the British clothing sense.
常見錯誤
3. long straps worn over the shoulders to keep trousers from slipping down.
long straps worn over the shoulders to keep trousers from slipping down.
Ravi clipped his red braces onto his black trousers before the wedding.
clip braces onto trousers
The old photo shows Grandfather in braces and a flat cap.
Because the belt broke, Omar borrowed braces from the costume room.
On stage, the clown's bright braces kept sliding off one shoulder.
- suspenders
American English equivalent for the clothing sense
- shoulder straps
plain descriptive phrase, but less exact
用法筆記
Mainly British English. American English usually says 'suspenders' for this clothing item.
常見錯誤
4. a support fixed to a weak or injured leg to help a person stand or walk.
a support fixed to a weak or injured leg to help a person stand or walk.
After knee surgery, Leila wore a brace during short walks.
wear a brace after surgery
The doctor fitted Yusuf with a leg brace before he left hospital.
fit someone with a leg brace
With a plastic brace on her ankle, Noa climbed the bus steps slowly.
The child could run farther once the new brace held his foot straight.
用法筆記
Often named by the body part before it, as in 'leg brace', 'knee brace', or 'ankle brace'. Distinguish from noun sense 1, which supports an object rather than a person.
常見錯誤
5. one of the marks { } used to group words, numbers, or other items together.
one of the marks { } used to group words, numbers, or other items together.
In math class, the answer inside the braces showed the set of values.
inside the braces in maths
The code will fail if you delete the closing brace.
closing brace in code
Nina put the dates in braces to keep the note easy to read.
The teacher wrote two choices inside braces on the whiteboard.
- curly bracket
common alternative name, especially in computing
- curly brace
full descriptive name for the mark
用法筆記
Often called 'curly braces' in computing. Usually used in the plural when you mean both marks together.
常見錯誤
6. a matched pair of things, especially two birds taken by a hunter.
a matched pair of things, especially two birds taken by a hunter.
By noon, the hunters carried a brace of ducks back to camp.
brace of + hunted birds
The cook bought a brace of birds for tonight's country dinner.
In the old tale, the boy returned home with a brace of rabbits.
The glass case held a brace of antique pistols from Spain.
用法筆記
Mostly found in older writing, hunting contexts, or set phrases like 'a brace of ducks'. It can extend to any matched pair, but that use also sounds old-fashioned.
7. a sign at the left of several lines of music showing that they are played togeth
a sign at the left of several lines of music showing that they are played together.
In the piano book, a brace links the top and bottom lines.
brace linking two music lines
The teacher drew a brace beside both parts of the duet.
draw a brace beside + parts
Without the brace, Mei first thought the two lines were separate songs.
The copyist forgot the brace, so the page looked confusing.
用法筆記
Used in printed music, especially where one player reads more than one line at once, as in piano music. Distinguish from noun sense 7, which is the writing symbol { }.
brace — verb
1. to hold something steady with a bar, frame, or your body so it will not fall or
to hold something steady with a bar, frame, or your body so it will not fall or bend.
Two workers braced the ladder while Uma climbed to the roof.
brace + object while someone climbs
The farmer braced the young tree with a post and soft rope.
brace + noun + with + support
Bao braced the door with a chair before the strong wind hit.
Stone blocks braced the river wall after the heavy rain.
文法句型
brace + noun
brace + noun + with + support
用法筆記
Object is a physical thing that might move, bend, or fall. Common with buildings, doors, ladders, trees, and walls.
常見錯誤
2. to make yourself ready in body or mind for pain, shock, or trouble.
to make yourself ready in body or mind for pain, shock, or trouble.
The passengers braced as the small plane dropped through thick cloud.
intransitive use before physical impact
Priya braced herself for the dentist's drill and squeezed the chair arms.
brace yourself for + unpleasant event
Cities along the coast are bracing for another night of heavy rain.
Theo braced for bad news when the hospital called after midnight.
- prepare
broader and calmer; not always linked to shock or pain
- steady yourself
close in meaning and often physical as well as emotional
- steel yourself
stronger and more literary; stresses inner courage
- relax
stop tensing your body or mind
- let your guard down
become less ready for danger or difficulty
文法句型
brace yourself for + noun
brace for + noun
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'for' and a noun phrase naming what is coming. Very often reflexive ('brace yourself'), especially when a speaker warns someone about bad news or a sudden shock.