Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRACE, v.t.

1. To draw tight; to tighten; to bind or tie close; to make tight and firm.
2. To make tense; to strain up; as, to brace a drum.
3. To furnish with braces; as, to brace a building.
4. To strengthen; to increase tension; as, to brace the nerves.
5. In marine language, to bring the yards to either side. To brace about, is to turn the yards round for the contrary tack. To brace sharp, is to cause the yards to have the smallest possible angle with the keel. To brace to, is to check or ease off the lee braces, and round-in the weather ones, to assist in tacking. – Mar. Dict.