n.[C]

1. 支柱；支撑物
2. 大括号[P]
3. 【英】裤子吊带[P]
4. （牙齿）矫正器；【医】支架
   The little girl had braces on her teeth.

   这个小女孩牙齿上戴着矫正器。

5. （猎禽等的）一对，一双[M]
   He came home with two brace of rabbits in the bag.

   他带着装有两对野兔的猎袋回家来了。

6. 【机】手摇曲柄钻

vt.

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

   屋顶由四根柱子支撑。

2. 使绷紧
3. 使防备[（+for）]
   The villagers braced themselves for a possible flood.

   村民们作了可能发生洪水泛滥的防备。

4. 激励，振奋

vi.

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

   她鼓起勇气去从事那艰巨的任务。

2. 做好准备[（+for/against）]
   It is urgent that we brace against hurricanes.

   我们必须做好防飓风的准备。

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.