arch. or Obs. [f. prec. sb.]
1. intr. To look brave, assume a bold or defiant front. To bravade the street: to swagger along it.
1634–46. Row, Hist. Kirk (1842), 464. Ilk shaimles lowne, With his silk goune, Bravades the street.
1637. Gillespie, Eng.-Pop. Cerem., Ord. C iij. The Archbishop of Spalato commeth forth … stoutly brandishing and bravading.
1667. R. Law, Mem. (1818), 18. The Dutch feet bravading there attacks the river.
2. trans. To dare, brave, defy.
1676. Row, Contn. Blair’s Autobiog., xii. (1848), 479. The Dutch navy bravades the English upon their coast.
Hence Bravading vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1812. J. Henry, Camp. agst. Quebec, 88. Many … wrote and spoke of this bravading … with much applause.
1820. Scott, Monast., ix. Listening to the bravading tales of gay Christie.
1823. Blackw. Mag., XIII. 278. Sir Joshua … with his arm a-kimbo, bravading cap, and chosen air of importance.
