Brace
/breɪs/noun
A device or support that holds something in place, or a pair of something.
Did you know?Brace ultimately comes from Latin *bracchium* meaning “arm,” and the same ancient root also lives on in words like *broach*, *embrace*, and *bracket* through different historical pathways.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
bracchium
“arm”
Late Latin
Latin
bracia
“a pair of arms; also a support or instrument for holding”
Old French
Old French
brace
“arm; pair; clasp; support”
Middle English
English
brace
“a pair; something that holds or supports”
Modern English
English
brace
“a support, clamp, or pair of related things”