Brack"et (&?;), n. [Cf.OF. braguette
codpiece, F. brayette, Sp. bragueta, also a projecting mold
in architecture; dim. fr.L. bracae breeches; cf. also, OF.
bracon beam, prop, support; of unknown origin. Cf.
Breeches.]
1. (Arch.) An architectural member, plain or
ornamental, projecting from a wall or pier, to support weight falling
outside of the same; also, a decorative feature seeming to discharge such
an office.
&fist; This is the more general word. See Brace,
Cantalever, Console, Corbel, Strut.
2. (Engin. & Mech.) A piece or combination
of pieces, usually triangular in general shape, projecting from, or
fastened to, a wall, or other surface, to support heavy bodies or to
strengthen angles.
3. (Naut.) A shot, crooked timber,
resembling a knee, used as a support.
4. (Mil.) The cheek or side of an ordnance
carriage.
5. (Print.) One of two characters [], used
to inclose a reference, explanation, or note, or a part to be excluded from
a sentence, to indicate an interpolation, to rectify a mistake, or to
supply an omission, and for certain other purposes; -- called also
crotchet.
6. A gas fixture or lamp holder projecting from the
face of a wall, column, or the like.
Bracket light, a gas fixture or a lamp attached to
a wall, column, etc.
Brack"et, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Bracketed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Bracketing] To place within brackets; to connect by brackets;
to furnish with brackets.
Brack"et, n. (Gunnery) A
figure determined by firing a projectile beyond a target and another
short of it, as a basis for ascertaining the proper elevation of the
piece; -- only used in the phrase, to establish a bracket.
After the bracket is established shots are fired with intermediate
elevations until the exact range is obtained. In the United States
navy it is called fork.
Brack"et, v. t. (Gunnery) To
shoot so as to establish a bracket for (an object).
Brack"et, n. (Gunnery) A
figure determined by firing a projectile beyond a target and another
short of it, as a basis for ascertaining the proper elevation of the
piece; -- only used in the phrase, to establish a bracket.
After the bracket is established shots are fired with intermediate
elevations until the exact range is obtained. In the United States
navy it is called fork.
Brack"et, v. t. (Gunnery) To
shoot so as to establish a bracket for (an object).
