that which holds anything firm, as a hawsepipe, or a cross timber in building. In printing, it denotes a crooked line connecting two or more lines. It is also used by sportsmen for a couple or pair; as a brace of bucks, of hares, of grouse, &c.

BRACES, in sea language, are ropes reeved through blocks at the ends of the yard-arms, for the purpose of squaring or traversing the yards.