bracket definition - Dictionary

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bracket

brack·et [ brákit ]

noun (plural brack·ets)

Definition:

1. L-shaped structure on wall: an L-shaped structure that is attached to a wall to hold up something such as a shelf or speaker

2. type of shelf: a shelf with an integral part that attaches to the wall as its support and can sometimes be swiveled

3. printing either of symbols [ ]: either of a pair of symbols, [ ], used in keying or printing to indicate the insertion of special commentary such as that made by an editor

4. U.K. printing
Same as parenthesis (sense 1) ( often used in the plural )

5. printing paired punctuation mark: any of the set of signs used in pairs to separate words from surrounding text, including the angle bracket and the brace

6. group within set limits: a section of a population or group that falls within particular defined limits

taxpayers in the $50,000 to $70,000 bracket

transitive verb (past and past participle brack·et·ed, present participle brack·et·ing, 3rd person present singular brack·ets)

Definition:

1. put something inside brackets: to put something, especially text or a mathematical equation, inside brackets

2. support something with brackets: to attach brackets to something, especially a wall, or support something with brackets

3. group people or things together: to group or class people or things together, usually because they are similar in some way

The two shows, both about 30-something women, will inevitably be bracketed together.

[Late 16th century. Perhaps < French braguette "codpiece" (because of the shape) < Latin bracae "breeches"]

brack·et·ing noun

Word Usage


	Brackets are used around text that is added by somebody other than the original writer or speaker, especially to explain or comment on a word or phrase used in a quotation: He wrote "As we traveled across Rhodesia now Zimbabwe the weather changed for the worse." They are also used to provide information needed when a quotation is taken out of its original context: She said "I have never seen him the accused before." The word sic (Latin for "thus"), enclosed in brackets, indicates that the preceding word, although wrong, is the one actually used: The notice read "In case of fire please excite sic the building by the nearest door."