Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary -- Volume AB5. (Print.) A vertical curved line connecting two or more words or lines, which are to be taken together; thus, boll, bowl; or, in music, used to connect staves. 6. (Naut.) A rope reeved through a block at the end of a yard, by which the yard is moved horizontally; also, a rudder gudgeon. 7. (Mech.) A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock. 8. A pair; a couple; as, a brace of ducks; now rarely applied to persons, except familiarly or with some contempt. "A brace of greyhounds." Shak. He is said to have shot . . . fifty brace of pheasants. A brace of brethren, both bishops, both eminent for learning and religion, now appeared in the church. But you, my brace of lords. 9. pl. Straps or bands to sustain trousers; suspenders. I embroidered for you a beautiful pair of braces. 10. Harness; warlike preparation. [Obs.] For that it stands not in such warlike brace. 11. Armor for the arm; vantbrace. 12. (Mining) The mouth of a shaft. [Cornwall] -- Angle brace. See under Angle. |