brace

verb
ˈbrās  
braced; bracing
Definition of brace (Entry 1 of 2)
transitive verb
1
a: PREPARE, STEEL
brace yourself for the shock
b: INVIGORATE, FRESHEN
… I took the shower and it braced me up a bit.
— Raymond Chandler
c: to prepare for use by making taut
brace a drum
2 a: to furnish or support with a brace (see BRACE entry 2 sense 1)
heavily braced against the wind b: to make stronger : REINFORCE
nerves … braced by long familiarity with danger
— T. B. Macaulay
3: to put or plant firmly
braces his foot in the stirrup
4: nautical : to turn (a sail yard) by means of a brace (see BRACE entry 2 sense 1e)
5: to waylay especially with demands or questions : CONFRONT
when braced, Willie had naturally denied his identity
— Time
6: archaic : to fasten tightly : BIND
intransitive verb
1: to get ready (as for an attack)
brace for the storm
2: to take heart —used with up
brace up and do something
— Upton Sinclair

brace

noun
plural braces
Definition of brace (Entry 2 of 2)
1: something that transmits, directs, resists, or supports weight or pressure: such as
a: a diagonal piece of structural material that serves to strengthen something (such as a framework)
walls held up with braces
b medical : an appliance for supporting a body part
has braces on his legs
a neck brace
c: braces plural, dentistry : an orthodontic appliance usually of metallic wire that is used especially to exert pressure to straighten misaligned teeth
had braces as a teenager
d: braces plural, clothing : SUSPENDERS
e: nautical : a rope rove through a block at the end of a ship's yard (see YARD entry 4 sense 3) to swing it horizontally
2
a: one of two marks { } used to connect words or items to be considered together
b: music : one of these marks connecting two or more musical staffs (see STAFF entry 1 sense 3) carrying parts to be performed simultaneously
c: BRACKET sense 3a
numbers written in braces
3:  or plural brace : two of a kind : PAIR
several brace of quail
4: something (such as a clasp) that connects or fastens
5: a crank-shaped instrument for turning a bit (see BIT entry 1 sense 1a(2))
6: a position of rigid attention
on review, his uniform and brace were technically correct
— Time
7: something that arouses energy or strengthens morale