bracing

Etymology

verb

1. present participle and gerund of brace

adj

1. Invigorating or stimulating.
   The tide was out, and we drew up amid the strong bracing smell of seaweed, with gulls screeching, wheeling around, and gliding on the wind. 1947 January and February, O. S. Nock, “"The Aberdonian" in Wartime”, in Railway Magazine, page 8

noun

1. (uncountable) That which braces.
   In general, we believe it is better to use too much bracing and then reduce the braces to the proper size rather than to start with too little. Cutting down braces gives the patient a feeling of accomplishment 1969, Daniel Ruge, Spinal cord injuries, page 174
2. (countable) A brace.
   For stability against lateral forces, vertical bracings are provided. 1997, Wind Effects on Structures, page 101
3. (US) A form of the military attention stance.