BRACES

Armor for the arm; vambrace.

A measurement of length, originally representing a person's outstretched arms.

A curved instrument or handle of iron or wood, for holding and turning bits, etc.; a bitstock.

To prepare for something bad, such as an impact or blow.

"All hands, brace for impact!"

To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly.

"He braced himself against the crowd."

To swing round the yards of a square rigged ship, using braces, to present a more efficient sail surface to the direction of the wind.

"to brace the yards"