*bracket*

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This is the more general word. See Brace, Cantalever, Console, Corbel, Strut. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Naut.) A shot, crooked timber, resembling a knee, used as a support. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Mil.) The cheek or side of an ordnance carriage. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A gas fixture or lamp holder projecting from the face of a wall, column, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (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. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Bracket light, a gas fixture or a lamp attached to a wall, column, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]