The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - brace n.

1) bracket, stiffener, reinforcement, reinforcer, support, buttress, prop, stay, strut, truss: Two steel braces have been installed to steady the columns. 2) drill: He bored three holes in the wood with his brace and auger. 3) clasp, clamp, buckle, fastener, clip, holdfast, catch, coupler, coupling: Another brace will be needed here to strengthen the handle. 4) pair; couple, span, team (of two) : A brace of duelling pistols was sold at auction last week for њ20,000. Her carriage was drawn by a brace of palominos. --v. 5) steady, reinforce, support, strengthen, prop or shore up: Iron bars are used to brace the arches. 6) brace oneself. steady or gird or prepare oneself; hold or hang on: I braced myself against the likelihood that she would refuse.