Brachyura
(||Brach`y*u"ra) n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. brachy`s short + tail.] (Zoöl.) A group of decapod Crustacea,
including the common crabs, characterized by a small and short abdomen, which is bent up beneath the
large cephalo-thorax. [Also spelt Brachyoura.] See Crab, and Illustration in Appendix.
Brachyural
(Brach`y*u"ral Brach`y*u"rous) , a. [Cf. F. brachyure.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the Brachyura.
Brachyuran
(Brach`y*u"ran) n. One of the Brachyura.
Bracing
(Bra"cing) a. Imparting strength or tone; strengthening; invigorating; as, a bracing north wind.
Bracing
(Bra"cing) n.
1. The act of strengthening, supporting, or propping, with a brace or braces; the state of being braced.
2. (Engin.) Any system of braces; braces, collectively; as, the bracing of a truss.
Brack
(Brack) n. [Cf.D. braak, Dan. bræk, a breaking, Sw. & Icel. brak a crackling, creaking. Cf. Breach.]
An opening caused by the parting of any solid body; a crack or breach; a flaw.
Stain or brack in her sweet reputation.
J. Fletcher.
Brack
(Brack), n. [D. brak, adj., salt; cf. LG. wrak refuse, G. brack.] Salt or brackish water. [Obs.]
Drayton.
Bracken
(Brack"en) n. [OE. braken, AS. bracce. See 2d Brake, n.] A brake or fern. Sir W. Scott.
Bracket
(Brack"et) n. [Cf.OF. braguette codpiece, F. brayette, Sp. bragueta, also a projecting mold in
architecture; dim. fr.L. bracae breeches; cf. also, OF. bracon beam, prop, support; of unknown origin. Cf.
Breeches.]
1. (Arch.) An architectural member, plain or ornamental, projecting from a wall or pier, to support weight
falling outside of the same; also, a decorative feature seeming to discharge such an office.
This is the more general word. See Brace, Cantalever, Console, Corbel, Strut.
2. (Engin. & Mech.) A piece or combination of pieces, usually triangular in general shape, projecting
from, or fastened to, a wall, or other surface, to support heavy bodies or to strengthen angles.
3. (Naut.) A shot, crooked timber, resembling a knee, used as a support.
4. (Mil.) The cheek or side of an ordnance carriage.
5. (Print.) One of two characters [], used to inclose a reference, explanation, or note, or a part to be
excluded from a sentence, to indicate an interpolation, to rectify a mistake, or to supply an omission,
and for certain other purposes; — called also crotchet.
6. A gas fixture or lamp holder projecting from the face of a wall, column, or the like.
Bracket light, a gas fixture or a lamp attached to a wall, column, etc.
Bracket
(Brack"et), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bracketed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bracketing] To place within brackets; to
connect by brackets; to furnish with brackets.
Bracketing
(Brack"et*ing), n. (Arch.) A series or group of brackets; brackets, collectively.
