brace

Armor for the arm; vambrace.

A measurement of length, originally representing a person's outstretched arms.

A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.

a brace and bit

That which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly; a bandage or a prop.

A cord, ligament, or rod, for producing or maintaining tension.

To prepare for something bad, such as an impact or blow.

All hands, brace for impact!

Brace yourself!

To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly.

He braced himself against the crowd.

A sturdy lance in his right hand he braced.

To swing round the yards of a square rigged ship, using braces, to present a more efficient sail surface to the direction of the wind.

to brace the yards

To stop someone for questioning, usually said of police.

To confront with questions, demands or requests.

Just about then the young kid who had braced us when we came in uttered a curse and made for the door.

“Constable Fancy’s collecting evidence from his flat while Morse and me brace Valdemar.”

A surname from Old French.