Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Brace \Brace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Braced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Bracing}.]
   1. To furnish with braces; to support; to prop; as, to brace
      a beam in a building.

   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.