What does bradding mean?
Bradding is a rare verb form meaning to use a brad, a small nail-like fastener or specialized piercing tool, to secure material or make a hole. The word is the present participle and gerund of the older verb brad; its past tense is bradded. In modern contexts, bradding usually implies fastening something with small metal brads, while historical descriptions may refer to the preparation of holes with a brad used as a boring tool. Because it resembles braiding in both spelling and pronunciation, bradding is sometimes mistaken for that much more familiar word. The two are unrelated in meaning: braiding interlaces strands, whereas bradding relies on a metal implement. Although largely confined to historical, craft, and restoration vocabulary, bradding is useful for understanding older descriptions of woodworking, leatherworking, and the manufacture or repair of nailed objects.
verbBradding is the present participle and gerund of brad: using a brad to pierce material or fastening it with a small, nail-like brad.
- The act of piercing material with a brad or fastening it with brads.
"The apprentice was bradding the hinge plate to the wooden frame with small metal brads."
"The carpenter spent the afternoon bradding the wooden panels before fitting the decorative trim."
"In his restoration notes, the conservator described bradding the original holes so that replacement fasteners could be inserted."
Bradding has nothing to do with braiding: one involves interwoven strands, while the other relies on a small metal fastener or piercing tool.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bradding
Bradding is an English formation from the older word brad, a small nail-like fastener also used for piercing material. It follows the ordinary English present-participle and gerund pattern, while the corresponding past tense is bradded. The historical noun brad has been connected with Old English bræd, the source of broad, although the specialized modern sense developed through the use of brads as fasteners and boring tools.
Related word forms
How bradding is actually used
Bradding is archaic and specialized. In modern use it generally refers to fastening with a brad, although older contexts may describe piercing a hole with a brad-like boring tool. It should not be confused with braiding.
Easily confused with bradding
Braiding interlaces strands into a plait or woven trim, whereas bradding uses a brad to pierce material or fasten it.