brace
noun uk/breɪs/ us/breɪs/
(SUPPORT)
[ C ] plural braces托架，支架
something that is used to support or connect things, or to make something stronger
He was recently fitted with a brace for his bad back. 他最近因背部受伤戴了一个支撑架。
[ C ] UK plural braces (US braces [ plural ])牙箍
a set of connected wires that is attached to a person's teeth in order to make them straight
I had to wear a brace for my crooked teeth when I was a teenager. 十几岁时我不得不给我的畸形齿上戴上牙箍。
braces[ plural ] UK (US suspenders)（裤子的）背带
a pair of narrow straps that stretch from the front of the trousers over your shoulders to the back to hold them up
a pair of braces 一副背带
(PAIR)
[ C ] plural brace（尤指猎获的野鸟的）一双，一对
two things of the same type, especially two wild birds that have been killed for sport or food
a brace of pheasants 一对野鸡
brace
verb [ T ] uk/breɪs/ us/breɪs/
(SUPPORT)
支撑，加固;使绷紧
to support an object in order to stop it from falling down
The side wall of the old house was braced with a wooden support. 老房子的边墙用木结构加固了。
(PREPARE)
brace yourself （为困难或坏事）使防备;使作准备
to prepare yourself physically or mentally for something unpleasant
The passengers were told to brace themselves (= to press their bodies hard against something or hold them very stiff) for a crash landing. 乘客们被告知要做好迫降准备。
She told me she had some bad news for me and I braced myself for a shock. 她说有坏消息要告诉我，我已做好了承受打击的准备。