BRACING

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does bracing mean? 

• BRACING (noun)
  The noun BRACING has 1 sense:

1. a structural member used to stiffen a framework

  Familiarity information: BRACING used as a noun is very rare.

• BRACING (adjective)
  The adjective BRACING has 1 sense:

1. imparting vitality and energy

  Familiarity information: BRACING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BRACING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A structural member used to stiffen a framework

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

brace; bracing

Hypernyms ("bracing" is a kind of...):

reinforcement; strengthener (a device designed to provide additional strength)

structural member (support that is a constituent part of any structure or building)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "bracing"):

crosspiece (a transverse brace)

gusset; gusset plate (a metal plate used to strengthen a joist)

guy; guy cable; guy rope; guy wire (a cable, wire, or rope that is used to brace something (especially a tent))

stay ((nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or spar)

stringer (brace consisting of a longitudinal member to strengthen a fuselage or hull)

strut (brace consisting of a bar or rod used to resist longitudinal compression)

crosstie; railroad tie; sleeper; tie (one of the cross braces that support the rails on a railway track)

Holonyms ("bracing" is a part of...):

frame; framework (a structure supporting or containing something)

Derivation:

brace (support by bracing)

• BRACING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Imparting vitality and energy

Synonyms:

bracing; brisk; fresh; refreshful; refreshing; tonic

Context example:

the bracing mountain air

Similar:

invigorating (imparting strength and vitality)

 Context examples 

There was a sharp bracing air; the ground was dry; the sea was crisp and clear; the sun was diffusing abundance of light, if not much warmth; and everything was fresh and lively.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

To me, a doctor's preparations for work of any kind are stimulating and bracing, but the effect of these things on both Arthur and Quincey was to cause them a sort of consternation.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

That evening found us in the cold, bracing atmosphere of the Peak country, in which Dr. Huxtable’s famous school is situated.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The frail figure stiffened itself, as though he were visibly bracing himself for an effort.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Superstition was with me at that moment; but it was not yet her hour for complete victory: my blood was still warm; the mood of the revolted slave was still bracing me with its bitter vigour; I had to stem a rapid rush of retrospective thought before I quailed to the dismal present.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He halted with awkward abruptness, with stiff fore-legs bracing himself against his momentum, almost sitting down on his haunches, so desirous was he of avoiding contact with the dog he was in the act of attacking.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He seemed to bring a whiff of his strong, fresh, bracing, east-coast air with him as he entered.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His brown, hardening body lived naturally through the half fierce, half lazy work of the bracing days.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)