French educator who lost his sight at the age of three and who invented a system of writing and printing for sightless people (1809-1852)
"Louis Braille created the tactile writing system that now bears his name."
a point system of writing in which patterns of raised dots represent letters and numerals
"The student carefully traced the braille characters on the page to read the instructions aloud."
Alternative letter-case form of braille
"After losing her sight, she learned to navigate the library independently by reading instructions printed in braille on every book cover."
A system of writing in which letters and some combinations of letters are represented by raised dots arranged in three rows of two dots each and are read by the blind and partially sighted using the fingertips.
In plain English: Braille is a way for people who are blind or have low vision to read and write using raised dots they feel with their fingers.
"She learned to read braille during her rehabilitation."
Usage: Braille always needs to be used as a noun, referring specifically to the tactile reading and writing system for visually impaired individuals. Do not use it as an adjective (e.g., "braille book" is correct; "a brailled book" is incorrect).
transcribe in braille
"The librarian carefully transcribed the entire novel into braille for the student who was blind."
To write in, or convert into, the braille writing system.
"She spent hours converting her handwritten notes into braille so she could read them independently."
In plain English: Braille is a way to read and write using raised dots that people who are blind can feel.
"She brailled a quick note to her friend during the meeting."
Usage: Use "braille" as a verb when describing the act of rendering text accessible using raised dots; for example, "She will braille the menu for visually impaired guests." Note that it's always used in the active voice.
Alternative letter-case form of braille
"She carefully checked that all the emergency exit signs on the new building were printed in braille for accessibility."
Of, relating to or written in braille.
In plain English: Braille lets visually impaired individuals read using touch.
"The cookbook had a section printed in braille for visually impaired cooks."
Usage: Braille refers specifically to the system of raised dots used by people who are visually impaired to read and write. Use "braille" as an adjective when describing something written or made using this tactile alphabet, such as "a braille sign" or "braille books."
Louis Braille
"The museum exhibit explains how Louis Braille invented a tactile writing system that allows blind people to read."