Braces vs. Crutches — What's the Difference?

A device that holds or fastens two or more parts together or in place; a clamp.

A support used by an injured or disabled person, often in pairs, as an aid to walking, having a vertical shaft that is sometimes forked, a horizontal grip for the hand, and a crosspiece that is positioned under the armpit or a cuff that wraps around the forearm.

A device, such as a supporting beam in a building or a connecting wire or rope, that steadies or holds something else erect.

Something on which one depends, often excessively

Braces Chiefly British Suspenders.

A forked support or part.

An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, or hold a bodily part in the correct position.

A forked leg rest on a sidesaddle.

Often braces A dental appliance constructed of bands and wires that is fixed to the teeth to correct irregular alignment.

(Archaic)The crotch of a person or animal.

An extremely stiff, erect posture.

To move using a crutch or crutches.

A cause or source of renewed physical or spiritual vigor.

To support on a crutch or crutches.

A protective pad strapped to the bow arm of an archer.

Plural of crutch

(Nautical)A rope by which a yard is swung and secured on a square-rigged ship.

A cranklike handle with an adjustable aperture at one end for securing and turning a bit.

(Music)A leather loop that slides to change the tension on the cord of a drum.

A vertical line, usually accompanied by the symbol {, connecting two or more staffs.

A set of staffs connected in this way.

A symbol, { or }, enclosing two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit.

(Mathematics)Either of a pair of symbols, { }, used to indicate aggregation or to clarify the grouping of quantities when parentheses and square brackets have already been used. Also called bracket.

Pl. brace A pair of like things

To furnish with a brace.

To support or hold steady with or as if with a brace; reinforce.

To prepare or position so as to be ready for impact or danger

To confront with questions or requests.

To increase the tension of.

To invigorate; stimulate

(Nautical)To turn (the yards of a ship) by the braces.

To get ready; make preparations.

Plural of brace

(orthodontics) A device worn on the teeth to straighten them.

(dated) Handcuffs.

(British) A pair of straps crossing one's shoulders and extending down to one's trousers, where a clip or button arrangement allows them to affix to the trousers, ensuring that they will not fall off (US: suspenders).

An appliance that corrects dental irregularities