D defs.my
Entry 9 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Bracket

/brăk'-ĭt/ · Brack·et · IPA /ˈbɹækɪt/
01 n. An architectural member, plain or ornamental, projecting from a wall or pier, to support weight falling outside of the same; also, a decora…
  1. 1.
    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.(Arch.)
  2. 2.
    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.(Engin. & Mech.)
  3. 3.
    A shot, crooked timber, resembling a knee, used as a support.(Naut.)
  4. 4.
    The cheek or side of an ordnance carriage.(Mil.)
  5. 5.
    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.(Print.) Also: crotchet
  6. 6.
    A gas fixture or lamp holder projecting from the face of a wall, column, or the like.
  7. 7.
    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.(Gunnery) Also: fork
Phrases & compounds
Bracket light — a gas fixture or a lamp attached to a wall, column, etc.
02 v. t. To place within brackets; to connect by brackets; to furnish with brackets.
imp. & p. p. Bracketed; p. pr. & vb. n. Bracketing
  1. 1.
    To place within brackets; to connect by brackets; to furnish with brackets.
  2. 2.
    To shoot so as to establish a bracket for (an object).(Gunnery)