Etymology Map
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Brace

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a support; a pair

Where does the word "brace" come from? It comes from Latin bracchia, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bracchia
Latin · ancient
"arms"
plural of 'bracchium', arm
2
Stage 2 of 3
brace
Old French · medieval
"two arms"
the span of two arms
3
Stage 3 of 3
brace
English · 1300s
"pair; support"
dental 'braces' date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Brace’s story begins in Latin: bracchia meant “arms.” Plural of 'bracchium', arm. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as brace. The span of two arms. It reached English by 1300s as brace. Dental 'braces' date from the 1900s. Today, brace means a support; a pair.