brace - noun

a support that steadies or strengthens something else

two items of the same kind

a set of two similar things considered as a unit

either of two punctuation marks ({ or }) used to enclose textual material

a rope on a square-rigged ship that is used to swing a yard about and secure it

elastic straps that hold trousers up (usually used in the plural)

an appliance that corrects dental irregularities

a carpenter's tool having a crank handle for turning and a socket to hold a bit for boring

a structural member used to stiffen a framework

brace - verb

• prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
• support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace
• support by bracing
• cause to be alert and energetic

brace - thesaurus

arouse   bitstock   braces   bracing   couple   couplet   distich   duad   duet   duo   dyad   energise   energize   gallus   pair   poise   span   stabilise   stabilize   steady   stimulate   suspender   twain   twosome   yoke