Exact Match for "brass"
brass
⇄
adj. made of brass; brazen.
Ex. brass candlesticks.
brass
⇄
brass, noun, adjective, verb.
brass
⇄
expr. brasses,
a. Music. brass (def. 3).
b. that part of a bearing which fits around the shaft, usually a brass cylinder cut in two or more sections with a lining of babbitt or white metal forming the rubbing surface.
brass
⇄
expr. double in brass, (U.S. Slang.) to play two parts; do two jobs; double.
Ex. The men are television technicians doubling in brass as an optical expert, a photographer, and a machinist (Newsweek).
brass
⇄
noun 1. a metal that is usually a yellowish color and an alloy of copper and zinc, in various proportions, commonly two parts of copper, or a little less, to one of zinc. It can be shaped or drawn.
2. anything made of brass, such as an ornament or
brass
⇄
v.t. to coat with brass by electroplating or otherwise.
Starts With "brass"
brass band
⇄
brass band
a group of musicians all or most of whom play upon metal (chiefly brass) wind instruments; military band.
brass hat
⇄
brass hat
(Slang.)
1. a high-ranking military officer, especially a general or staff officer.
2. a civilian official in a high position.
brass knuckles
⇄
brass knuckles
a metal bar or linked rings that fit across the knuckles, used as a weapon.
brass plate
⇄
brass plate
a plate made of brass, indicating the occupant of a building.
brass ring
⇄
brass ring
(U.S. Slang.) a big prize; a chance for riches or success.
Ex. ""Sure, George is ambitious,"" one of them says. ""When he sees the brass ring coming round, he can't help grabbing for it"" (Saturday Evening Post).
brass rubbing
⇄
brass rubbing
1. the art or practice of taking a tracing of effigies or inscriptions on brass objects by rubbing colored wax on paper pressed over the brass plate.
2. an impression made this way.
brass tacks
⇄
brass tacks
(Informal.) the actual facts or details.
brass tacks
⇄
expr. get (or come) down to brass tacks, to get down to fundamentals.
Ex. After the exchange of a few pleasantries we immediately got down to brass tacks (Life).
brass winds
⇄
brass winds
metal musical instrumentsthat are played by blowing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece, such as trumpets or trombones. See brass (n. def. 3a).
brass-collar
⇄
brass-collar, adjective.
(U.S. Informal.) brassbound; inflexible.
Ex. His sharecropper father was a brass-collar Democrat out of the old South (Harper's).
brass-wind
⇄
brass-wind, adjective.
of or having to do with the brasses or brass winds.
brassage
⇄
brassage, noun.
a mint charge levied to cover the expense of coining money.
brassard
⇄
brassard, noun.
1. a band worn above the elbow as a badge.
2. armor for the upper part of the arm.
brassart
⇄
brassart, noun. brassard (def. 2).
brassbound
⇄
brassbound, adjective.
1. (Informal.)
a. keeping strictly to rule; refusing to accept modification; inflexible.
Ex. brassbound fanatics; brassbound rigidity.
b. impudent; brazen.
Ex. a brassbound liar.
2. bound or fi
brasserie
⇄
brasserie, noun.
(French.)
1. a saloon or beer garden that also serves food.
2. a brewery.
brasses
⇄
brasses, noun pl.
See under brass.
brassica
⇄
brassica, noun.
any one of a genus of herbs of the mustard family, including the cabbage, kale, broccoli, turnip, rape, and mustard.
brassicaceous
⇄
brassicaceous, adjective.
1. belonging to the mustard family, a family of plants including the cabbage, turnip, radish, and cress.
2. cabbagelike.
brassie
⇄
brassie, noun, pl.brassies.
a golf club with a wooden head, on the bottom of which there is a metal plate. It has a loft between that of a driver and a spoon and is used for long shots off the fairway. Also, brassy.
brassiere
⇄
brassiere, noun.
a woman's undergarment worn to support the breasts.
brassin
⇄
brassin, noun.
a plant hormone that stimulates the division, elongation, and lateral enlargement of plant cells. It was isolated from the pollen of the plant rape.
brassware
⇄
brassware, noun.
things made of brass.
brassy
⇄
adj. 1. of or covered with brass.
2. like brass.
Ex. a brassy green sky.
3. (Figurative.) loud and harsh.
Ex. a brassy voice. The music was somewhat brassy, overpercussive, and generally monotonous (New Yorker).
4. (Infor
brassy
⇄
brassy, adjective, brassier,brassiest,noun, pl.brassies.
Ends With "brass"
alpha brass
⇄
alpha brass
brass consisting of a solid solution containing up to 38 percent zinc.
aluminium brass
⇄
aluminium brass
(Especially British) a tough, hard kind of aluminium bronze. Also, (U.S.) aluminum brass.
aluminum brass
⇄
aluminum brass
(Especially U.S.) a tough, hard kind of aluminum bronze. Also, (British and Canadian) aluminium brass.
cartridge brass
⇄
cartridge brass
a highly ductile brass containing about 70 percent copper and 30 percent zinc, used in making cartridge cases and musical instruments.
high brass
⇄
high brass
1. yellow brass.
2. (U.S. Slang.) top brass.
low brass
⇄
low brass,red brass.
red brass
⇄
red brass
an alloy of copper and zinc, with more copper than in the normal composition of brass; low brass; tombac.
top brass
⇄
top brass
(U.S. Slang.)
1. high-ranking military officers.
2. high officials.
Ex. the assembled top brass of the government (Harper's).
yellow brass
⇄
yellow brass
a malleable brass containing about 70 per cent copper and 30 per cent zinc, used when strength is not required; high brass.
zebrass
⇄
zebrass, noun.
the offspring of a male zebra and a female ass.
Brass
Pronunciation
IPA: /brɑːs/
Definitions
- A yellow alloy of copper and zinc, commonly used for making musical instruments, jewelry, and hardware.
- Figuratively, a term for boldness or audacity, often implying impudence or arrogance.
Usage Examples
- "The brass bell rang through the cathedral."
- "He showed his brass when he spoke to the manager without fear."
- "She wore a necklace with a brass pendant."
Etymology
From Middle English "brass," of uncertain origin, possibly from Old French "bras," meaning "arm," due to the similarity of color between the metal and the yellowish skin of the arm. The term "brass" has been in use since the 14th century.
Synonyms
- Alloy
- Metal
- Copper-zinc alloy
- Impudence
- Audacity
Antonyms
- Timidity
- Shyness
- Meekness
- Submissiveness
- Deference
Translations
| Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
| Spanish | Latón | /laˈton/ |
| French | Laiton | /lɛtɔ̃/ |
| German | Messing | /ˈmɛsɪŋ/ |
| Italian | Ottone | /ˈɔtːone/ |
| Chinese | 黄铜 (Huángtóng) | /xwɑŋ˧˥ tʰʊŋ˧˥/ |
| Japanese | 真鍮 (Shinchū) | /ˈʃiɴtʃuː/ |
| Hindi | पीतल (Pītal) | /ˈpiːt̪əl/ |
| Marathi | पीतल (Pītal) | /ˈpiːt̪əl/ |
| Tamil | பித்தளை (Pithṭaḷai) | /ˈpiθːəlɒɪ/ |
| Telugu | పీతలము (Pītalamu) | /ˈpiːt̪əlɐmu/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The pronunciation of "brass" is fairly consistent across English-speaking regions. However, some accents may emphasize the "a" more sharply (e.g., British English), while others might soften it (e.g., American English).
Historical Usage
Brass has been used since ancient times, particularly in the creation of tools, coins, and decorative items. In medieval Europe, brass was highly valued and used in the construction of bells, musical instruments, and armor. Over the centuries, it became an essential material in industries such as plumbing and electrical engineering.
Cultural Nuances
Brass has held a significant cultural place in many societies. It is often associated with strength and durability, qualities that are reflected in its use in musical instruments, bells, and architectural ornaments. In some cultures, brass is seen as a symbol of wealth and status, particularly when used in jewelry and decorative art.