brai

n. 1. A plait, band, or narrow fabric formed by intertwining or weaving together different strands. [ 1913 Webster ]

A braid of hair composed of two different colors twined together. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A narrow fabric, as of wool, silk, or linen, used for binding, trimming, or ornamenting dresses, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Braided; p. pr. & vb. n. Braiding. ] [ OE. braiden, breiden, to pull, reach, braid, AS. bregdan to move to and fro, to weave; akin. to Icel. bregða, D. breiden to knit, OS. bregdan to weave, OHG. brettan to brandish. Cf. Broid. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To weave, interlace, or entwine together, as three or more strands or threads; to form into a braid; to plait. [ 1913 Webster ]

Braid your locks with rosy twine. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To mingle, or to bring to a uniformly soft consistence, by beating, rubbing, or straining, as in some culinary operations. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To reproach. [ Obs. ] See Upbraid. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To start; to awake. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ AS. bræd, bred, deceit; akin to Icel. bragð trick, AS. bredan, bregdan, to braid, knit, (hence) to knit a net, to draw into a net, i. e., to deceive. See Braid, v. t. ] Deceitful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Since Frenchmen are so braid,
Marry that will, I live and die a maid. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. adorned with braid; as, his braided collar. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. formed into a braid or braids; as, braided hair. [ PJC ]

n. 1. The act of making or using braids. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Braids, collectively; trimming. [ 1913 Webster ]

A gentleman enveloped in mustachios, whiskers, fur collars, and braiding. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. brayle furling rope, OF. braiol a band placed around the breeches, fr.F. braies, pl., breeches, fr. L. braca, bracae, breeches, a Gallic word; cf. Arm. bragez. Cf. Breeches. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Falconry) A thong of soft leather to bind up a hawk's wing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. (Naut.) Ropes passing through pulleys, and used to haul in or up the leeches, bottoms, or corners of sails, preparatory to furling. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A stock at each end of a seine to keep it stretched. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. (Naut.) To haul up by the brails; -- used with up; as, to brail up a sail. [ 1913 Webster ]