braid Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
    twist; tress; plait.
  2. noun trimming used to decorate clothes or curtains
    gold braid; braiding.
  3. verb make by braiding or interlacing
    lace; plait.
    • lace a tablecloth
  4. verb decorate with braids or ribbons
    • braid a collar
  5. verb form or weave into a braid or braids
    pleach.
    • braid hair

WordNet

Braid transitive verb
Etymology
OE. braiden, breiden, to pull, reach, braid, AS. bregdan to move to and fro, to weave; akin. to Icel. brega, D. breiden to knit, OS. bregdan to weave, OHG. brettan to brandish. Cf. Broid.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Braided; present participle & verbal noun Braiding
Definitions
  1. To weave, interlace, or entwine together, as three or more strands or threads; to form into a braid; to plait.
    Braid your locks with rosy twine. Milton.
  2. To mingle, or to bring to a uniformly soft consistence, by beating, rubbing, or straining, as in some culinary operations.
  3. To reproach. Obs. See Upbraid. Shak.
Braid noun
Definitions
  1. A plait, band, or narrow fabric formed by intertwining or weaving together different strands.
    A braid of hair composed of two different colors twined together. Scott.
  2. A narrow fabric, as of wool, silk, or linen, used for binding, trimming, or ornamenting dresses, etc.
Braid noun
Etymology
Cf.Icel. brega to move quickly.
Definitions
  1. A quick motion; a start. Obs. Sackville.
  2. A fancy; freak; caprice. Obs. R. Hyrde.
Braid intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To start; to awake. Obs. Chaucer.
Braid adjective
Etymology
AS. bræd, bred, deceit; akin to Icel. brag 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.
Definitions
  1. Deceitful. Obs.
    Since Frenchmen are so braid, Marry that will, I live and die a maid. Shak.

Webster 1913