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To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen; as, to brace the nerves. And welcome war to brace her drums. Campbell.

Imparting strength or tone; strengthening; invigorating; as, a bracing north wind.

projecting from, or fastened to, a wall, or other surface, to support heavy bodies or to strengthen angles.

A thick piece of timber in the form of a knee, placed across the stem of a ship to strengthen the fore part and unite the bows on each side. Totten.

Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life. The earthquake voice of victory, To thee the breath of life. Byron.

To strengthen with buckram; to make stiff. Cowper.

To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; -- frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution. I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up. Acts xx. 32.

Anything which supports or strengthens. "The ground pillar and buttress of the good old cause of nonconformity." South. Flying buttress. See Flying buttress.

of a ship, from one transverse desk beam to another; also, one of the cross timbers that strengthen a hath; -- usually in pl.

A fillet or band placed around the shaft of a column as if to strengthen it. [Written also cimia.]

To strengthen with a cleat.

A metallic bushing or strengthening piece in the center of a wooden block sheve.

To strengthen in judgment or purpose. Confirmed, then, I resolve Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe. Milton.

The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the confirmation of an appointment. Their blood is shed In confirmation of the noblest claim. Cowper.

The act of strengthening. [Obs.] Bacon.

Strengthening; supporting; corroborating. Bacon. -- n.

To make strong, or to give additional strength to; to strengthen. [Obs.] As any limb well and duly exercised, grows stronger, the nerves of the body are corroborated thereby. I. Watts.

The act of corroborating, strengthening, or confirming; addition of strength; confirmation; as, the corroboration of an argument, or of information.

Tending to strengthen of confirm.

Tending to strengthen; corroborative; as, corroboratory facts.