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1. Positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
   "he stood to attention with his shoulders braced"
    
2. Held up by braces or buttresses
   - buttressed

1. Prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
   - poise
    
2. Support or hold steady and make steadfast, with or as if with a brace
   "brace your elbows while working on the potter's wheel"
   - steady, stabilize, stabilise [Brit]
    
3. Support by bracing
    
4. Cause to be alert and energetic
   "Coffee and tea brace me"
   - stimulate, arouse, energize, energise [Brit], perk up

See also: bracer, bracing, prepared, supported

Type of: affect, beef up, fix, fortify, gear up, hold, hold up, prepare, ready, set, set up, strengthen, support, sustain

Encyclopedia: Brace Brace, brace