bracing

/breɪsɪŋ/

/ˈbreɪsɪŋ/

Other forms: bracingly; bracings

Anything bracing is brisk and refreshing. A Mainer might consider a January swim in the Atlantic Ocean to be bracing, while her Floridian best friend may think she's crazy.

You probably enjoy the bracing sea air when you're on a sailboat, or the bracing hike you take up the side of a mountain. In both cases, you're filled with energy and feel fortified by the experience. The adjective bracing comes from the verb brace and its figurative meaning, "to strengthen or comfort."

Definitions of bracing

1. adjective

   imparting vitality and energy
   “the bracing mountain air”

   synonyms: brisk, fresh, refreshful, refreshing, tonic

   invigorating

   imparting strength and vitality
2. noun

   a structural member used to stiffen a framework
   synonyms: brace

   types:

   crosspiece

   a transverse brace

   gusset, gusset plate

   a metal plate used to strengthen a joist

   guy, guy cable, guy rope, guy wire

   a cable, wire, or rope that is used to brace something (especially a tent)

   stay

   (nautical) brace consisting of a heavy rope or wire cable used as a support for a mast or spar

   stringer

   brace consisting of a longitudinal member to strengthen a fuselage or hull

   strut

   brace consisting of a bar or rod used to resist longitudinal compression

   crosstie, railroad tie, sleeper, tie

   one of the cross braces that support the rails on a railway track

   backstay

   a stay that supports the back of something

   crossbar

   long thin horizontal crosspiece between two vertical posts

   forestay

   an adjustable stay from the foremast to the deck or bowsprit; controls the bending of the mast

   rundle, rung, spoke

   one of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder

   round, rung, stave

   a crosspiece between the legs of a chair

   cross thwart, thwart

   a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat

   transom, traverse

   a horizontal crosspiece across a window or separating a door from a window over it

   type of:

   reinforcement, strengthener

   a device designed to provide additional strength

   structural member

   support that is a constituent part of any structure or building