2. To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension;
to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves.
And welcome war to brace her drums. --Campbell.
3. To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.
The women of China, by bracing and binding them from
their infancy, have very little feet. --Locke.
Some who spurs had first braced on. --Sir W.
Scott.
4. To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold
firmly; as, he braced himself against the crowd.
A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced.
--Fairfax.
5. (Naut.) To move around by means of braces; as, to brace
the yards.
{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.
2. (Engin.) Any system of braces; braces, collectively; as,
the bracing of a truss.