Part 1335

<h1>Brachystochrone</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw>Bra*chys"to*chrone</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Incorrect for <ets>brachistochrone</ets>, fr. Gr. <?/ shortest (superl. of <?/ short) + <?/ time : cf. F. <ets>brachistochrone</ets>. ]</ety> <fld>(Math.)</fld> <def>A curve, in which a body, starting from a given point, and descending solely by the force of gravity, will reach another given point in a shorter time than it could by any other path. This <i>curve of quickest descent</i>, as it is sometimes called, is, in a vacuum, the same as the <i>cycloid</i>.</def>

<h1>Brachytypous</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw>Brach"y*ty`pous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Gr. <?/ short + <?/ stamp, form.]</ety> <fld>(Min.)</fld> <def>Of a short form.</def>

<h1>Brachyura</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw>Brach`y*u"ra</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n. pl.</tt> <ety>[NL., fr. Gr. <?/ short + <?/ tail.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>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. <altsp>[Also spelt <asp>Brachyoura</asp>.]</altsp> See <er>Crab</er>, and <i>Illustration</i> in Appendix.</def>

<h1>Brachyural, Brachyurous</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw><hw>Brach`y*u"ral</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <hw>Brach`y*u"rous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt><hw>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Cf. F. <ets>brachyure</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Zo\'94l.)</fld> <def>Of or pertaining to the Brachyura.</def>

<h1>Brachyuran</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw>Brach`y*u"ran</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One of the Brachyura.</def>

<h1>Bracing</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw>Bra"cing</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Imparting strength or tone; strengthening; invigorating; <as>as, a <ex>bracing</ex> north wind</as>.</def>

<h1>Bracing</h1> <Xpage=173>

<hw>Bra"cing</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of strengthening, supporting, or propping, with a brace or braces; the state of being braced.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Engin.)</fld> <def>Any system of braces; braces, collectively; <as>as, the <ex>bracing</ex> of a truss</as>.</def>

<hr> <page="174"> Page 174<p>

<h1>Brack</h1> <Xpage=174>

<hw>Brack</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf.D. <ets>braak</ets>, Dan. <ets>br\'91k</ets>, a breaking, Sw. & Isel. <ets>brak</ets> a crackling, creaking. Cf. <er>Breach</er>.]</ety> <def>An opening caused by the parting of any solid body; a crack or breach; a flaw.</def>

<blockquote>Stain or <b>brack</b> in her sweet reputation. <i>J. Fletcher.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Brack</h1> <Xpage=174>

<hw>Brack</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[D. <ets>brak</ets>, adj., salt; cf. LG. <ets>wrak</ets> refuse, G. <ets>brack</ets>.]</ety> <def>Salt or brackish water.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Drayton.</i>

<h1>Bracken</h1> <Xpage=174>

<hw>Brack"en</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>braken</ets>, AS. <ets>bracce</ets>. See <er>2d Brake</er>, <tt>n.</tt>]</ety> <def>A brake or fern.</def>

<i>Sir W. Scott.</i>

<h1>Bracket</h1> <Xpage=174>

<hw>Brack"et</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[Cf.OF. <ets>braguette</ets> codpiece, F. <ets>brayette</ets>, Sp. <ets>bragueta</ets>, also a projecting mold in architecture; dim. fr.L. <ets>bracae</ets> breeches; cf. also, OF. <ets>bracon</ets> beam, prop, support; of unknown origin. Cf. <er>Breeches</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <fld>(Arch.)</fld> <def>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.</def>