n.[C]

1. 支柱；支撐物
2. 大括號[P]
3. 【英】褲子吊帶[P]
4. （牙齒）矯正器；【醫】支架
   The little girl had braces on her teeth.

   這個小女孩牙齒上戴著矯正器。

5. （獵禽等的）一對，一雙[M]
   He came home with two brace of rabbits in the bag.

   他帶著裝有兩對野兔的獵袋回家來了。

6. 【機】手搖曲柄鑽

vt.

1. 支撐；加固
   The roof was braced with four poles.

   屋頂由四根柱子支撐。

2. 使繃緊
3. 使防備[（+for）]
   The villagers braced themselves for a possible flood.

   村民們作了可能發生洪水泛濫的防備。

4. 激勵，振奮

vi.

1. 鼓起勇氣[（+up）]
   She braced up for the arduous task.

   她鼓起勇氣去從事那艱鉅的任務。

2. 做好準備[（+for/against）]
   It is urgent that we brace against typhoons.

   我們必須做好防颱風的準備。

n.

1. a device supporting a weak or injured part of the body.
   ▸a wire device fitted in the mouth to straighten the teeth.
   ▸a strengthening piece of iron or timber in building or carpentry.
2. (braces) Brit. a pair of straps passing over the shoulders and fastening to the top of trousers at the front and back to hold them up.
3. (pl. same)
   a pair of things, especially birds or mammals killed in hunting.
4. (also brace and bit) a drilling tool with a crank handle and a socket to hold a bit.
5. either of two connecting marks { and }, used in printing.
   ▸Music  a similar mark connecting staves to be performed at the same time.
6. a rope attached to the yard of a ship for trimming the sail.

v.

1. make stronger or firmer with wood, iron, etc.
2. press (one's body) firmly against something in order to stay balanced.
3. (brace oneself) prepare for something difficult or unpleasant.