Bracing

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. [1913 Webster]

2. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves. [1913 Webster]

And welcome war to brace her drums. --Campbell. [1913 Webster]

3. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly. [1913 Webster]

The women of China, by bracing and binding them from their infancy, have very little feet. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

Some who spurs had first braced on. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

4. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd. [1913 Webster]

A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced. --Fairfax. [1913 Webster]

5. (Naut.) To move around by means of braces; as, to brace the yards. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]