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Joined: Aug 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,168 Likes: 2 |
Do we get any points for talking about a word long before Anu uses it for his word-a-day? Subject: A.Word.A.Day--octothorpe
octothorpe (OK-tuh-thorp) noun
The symbol # ... is derived from a shorthand way of writing lb, the abbreviation for the Latin libra (balance)... Compare our discussion at http://wordsmith.org/board/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=words&Number=36166from eighteen months ago. And it wasn't the first time the word had been tossed around here, either !
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
I think we should, wofa! ;-) Is there such a thing as a septothorpe, or maybe a nonothorpe?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,819 |
On the subject of symbols names, what do you call a { ?
Since a bracket is [ or ], I figured { and } have different names.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
i have always called it /heard it called a 'brace'--
which whether i am right or wrong, brace is an interesting word..
it could be a tool (similar to a drill) or a piece of wood used to secure a right angle, or something to re-enforce or support a limb, or something (in pairs!) that hold up your pants, or in diminutive, decorative jewelry...or a pair of game birds, or....
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
Yep, brace or curly brackets
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Whoa, Helen, you weren't kidding! From Gurunet:
brace (brâs)
n.
1. A device that holds or fastens two or more parts together or in place; a clamp.
2. A device, such as a supporting beam in a building or a connecting wire or rope, that steadies or holds something else erect.
3. braces Chiefly British. Suspenders.
4. An orthopedic appliance used to support, align, or hold a bodily part in the correct position.
5. A dental appliance constructed of bands and wires that is fixed to the teeth to correct irregular alignment. Often used in the plural.
6. An extremely stiff, erect posture.
7. A cause or source of renewed physical or spiritual vigor.
8. A protective pad strapped to the bow arm of an archer.
9. Nautical. A rope by which a yard is swung and secured on a square-rigged ship.
10. A cranklike handle with an adjustable aperture at one end for securing and turning a bit.
11. Music. A leather loop that slides to change the tension on the cord of a drum.
12. Music.
a. A vertical line, usually accompanied by the symbol {, connecting two or more staffs.
b. A set of staffs connected in this way.
13. A symbol, { or }, enclosing two or more lines of text or listed items to show that they are considered as a unit.
14. 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.
15. pl. brace. A pair of like things: three brace of partridges.
v., braced, brac·ing, brac·es.
v.tr.
1. To furnish with a brace.
2. To support or hold steady with or as if with a brace; reinforce.
3. To prepare or position so as to be ready for impact or danger: Union members braced themselves for a confrontation with management.
4. To confront with questions or requests.
5. To increase the tension of.
6. To invigorate; stimulate: “The freshness of the September morning inspired and braced him” (Thomas Hardy).
7. Nautical. To turn (the yards of a ship) by the braces.
v.intr.
To get ready; make preparations.
phrasal verb:
brace up
To summon one's strength or endurance.
[Middle English, from Old French, the two arms, from Vulgar Latin *bracia, from Latin brâcchia, pl. of brâcchium, arm, from Greek brakhîôn, upper arm. V., partly from Old French bracier, from Old French brace, the two arms.]
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,168 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,168 Likes: 2 |
Tee hee. I think we've had this discussion too :-)
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