Braid Once Meant to Move Suddenly
A braid is a plait of interwoven strands. The Old English verb meant to move quickly or snatch, and weaving was only one of its senses.
A braid is a length of interwoven strands, of hair or of thread. The Old English verb *bregdan* was far broader: it meant to move suddenly, to snatch, to weave, to change — and it survives in *upbraid*, to reproach, which was originally to throw something at someone. The weaving sense outlasted the rest.
- A plait. *A long braid.*
- Decorative trim. *Gold braid on a uniform.*
- To interweave. *She braided her hair.*
- Plait — the usual British word. *A neat plait.*
- Upbraid — to reproach, from the same verb. *He upbraided them.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | braid | A thick braid. |
| Plural | braids | Wearing braids. |
| Verb | braid | Braid the rope. |
| British | plait | Plaited hair. |
| Related | upbraid | Sharply upbraided. |
- She wore her hair in a single braid.American usage.
- Gold braid marks the rank.Uniform trim.
- A braided river splits into many channels.Geography.
Braid or plait?
- Braid — the usual American word for hair
- Plait — the usual British word, rhyming with flat
- Braid in Britain more often means decorative trim
- Braided river — a technical term in both varieties
- Both describe the same three-strand structure
Old English *bregdan*, to move quickly, snatch or weave, from a Germanic root. The weaving sense narrowed in Middle English.
Is upbraid related to braid?
Yes. Both come from Old English bregdan. Upbraid keeps the sense of throwing or casting something at someone.
Braid or plait?
Braid in American English, plait in British. In Britain braid usually means decorative cord.