Pronunciation: [bɹˈe͡ɪd] (IPA) 
The word "braid" is spelled with the letters B-R-A-I-D. In phonetic transcription, it is represented as /breɪd/. The "ai" is pronounced as a long "a" sound, as in "day" or "way." The "d" at the end is pronounced as a voiced dental stop, meaning the tongue touches the upper teeth to create the sound. "Braid" can be used as a noun or a verb and refers to a hairstyle or the act of weaving something together, respectively.
Braid can be used as both a noun and a verb, with distinct meanings in both cases. As a noun, a braid refers to a woven structure created by intertwining three or more strands of a material, usually hair, thread, or fabric. It is typically formed through a process of crossing and overlapping the strands to create a cohesive and decorative interlaced pattern. Braids can vary in complexity, shape, and size, and are often used as a form of hairstyling or in the production of various craft items.
As a verb, to braid entails the act of intertwining multiple strands of a material, typically by crossing and weaving them together. This term commonly refers to the action of weaving hair into a braid, often for aesthetic or practical purposes. In a broader sense, it can also encompass the interlacing of other materials, such as threads, ribbons, or even flexible strands of metal.
The concept of braiding can also extend beyond physical materials and be used metaphorically to describe the blending or intermingling of different elements or ideas. For example, one might say that multiple storylines in a book or movie are braided together to create a cohesive narrative. In this sense, the term emphasizes the intricate and interwoven nature of the elements being combined.
• Flat cord; trimming; a band of hair formed by plaiting three or more folds together.
• To weave or plait.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "braid" has Germanic origins, specifically from Old English. It is derived from the Old English word "bregdan", which means "to weave together" or "to knot". This word has evolved through different forms in several Germanic languages, including Middle English "braid" and Old Norse "bregða". Over time, "braid" came to specifically refer to the act of intertwining strands of hair or other materials to create a woven pattern.
