bracing

To prepare for something bad, such as an impact or blow.

“All hands, brace for impact!”

To place in a position for resisting pressure; to hold firmly.

“He braced himself against the crowd.”

To swing round the yards of a square rigged ship, using braces, to present a more efficient sail surface to the direction of the wind.

“to brace the yards”

To stop someone for questioning, usually said of police.

To confront with questions, demands or requests.

To furnish with braces; to support; to prop.

“to brace a beam in a building”

To draw tight; to tighten; to put in a state of tension; to strain; to strengthen.

“to brace the nerves”

To bind or tie closely; to fasten tightly.

That which braces.

A brace.

A form of the military attention stance.

Invigorating or stimulating.