Definition of Brass

1. Noun. An alloy of copper and zinc.


2. Noun. A wind instrument that consists of a brass tube (usually of variable length) that is blown by means of a cup-shaped or funnel-shaped mouthpiece.
Exact synonyms: Brass Instrument
Specialized synonyms: Baritone, Baritone Horn, Bass Horn, Sousaphone, Tuba, Bugle, Clarion, Cornet, Horn, Trump, Trumpet, Fluegelhorn, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Horn, Saxhorn, Trombone
Terms within: Valve
Generic synonyms: Wind, Wind Instrument
Derivative terms: Brassy

3. Noun. The persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a body for the purpose of administering something. "He quickly became recognized as a member of the establishment"

4. Noun. Impudent aggressiveness. "He had the effrontery to question my honesty"
Exact synonyms: Boldness, Cheek, Face, Nerve
Generic synonyms: Aggressiveness
Specialized synonyms: Audaciousness, Audacity
Derivative terms: Brassy, Cheek, Cheeky, Face, Nervy

5. Noun. An ornament or utensil made of brass.
Generic synonyms: Decoration, Ornament, Ornamentation

6. Noun. The section of a band or orchestra that plays brass instruments.
Exact synonyms: Brass Section
Generic synonyms: Section
Specialized synonyms: Trumpet Section
Derivative terms: Brassy

7. Noun. A memorial made of brass.
Exact synonyms: Memorial Tablet, Plaque
Generic synonyms: Memorial, Monument

Definition of Brass

1. n. An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely other metals.

Definition of Brass

1. Noun. A metallic alloy of copper and zinc used in many industrial and plumbing applications. ¹

2. Noun. (countable music) A class of wind instruments, usually made of metal (such as brass), that use vibrations of the player's lips to produce sound. ¹

3. Noun. Spent shell casings (usually made of brass); the part of the cartridge left over after bullets have been fired. ¹

4. Noun. The colour of brass. ¹

5. Noun. (uncountable used as a singular or plural noun military) High-ranking officers. ¹

6. Noun. (uncountable informal) A brave or foolhardy attitude. ¹

7. Noun. (slang dated) Money. ¹

8. Noun. Inferior composition. ¹

9. Adjective. Of the colour of brass. ¹

10. Adjective. (informal) Impertinent, bold: brazen. ¹

11. Adjective. (slang) Bad, annoying; ''as wordplay applied especially to brass instruments''. ¹

12. Adjective. Of inferior composition. ¹

13. Noun. (uncountable slang) Brass in pocket; money. ¹

14. Noun. (countable slang) A brass nail; a prostitute. ¹

15. Adjective. (slang) Brass monkey; cold. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Brass

1. to coat with brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Medical Definition of Brass

1. Origin: OE. Bras, bres, AS. Braes; akin to Icel. Bras cement, solder, brasa to harden by fire, and to E. Braze, brazen. Cf. 1st & 2d Braze. 1. An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely other metals. 2. A journal bearing, so called because frequently made of brass. A brass is often lined with a softer metal, when the latter is generally called a white metal lining. See Axle box, Journal Box, and Bearing. 3. Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze. "Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey." (Matt. X. 9) 4. Impudence; a brazen face. 5. Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass. "The very scullion who cleans the brasses." (Hopkinson) 6. A brass plate engraved with a figure or device. Specifically, one used as a memorial to the dead, and generally having the portrait, coat of arms, etc. 7. Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the colour of which is near to that of brass. The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a translation for copper or some kind of bronze. Brass is often used adjectively or in self-explaining compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry. Brass band, a band of musicians who play upon wind instruments made of brass, as trumpets, cornets, etc. Brass foil, Brass leaf, brass made into very thin sheets. Synonym: Dutch gold. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Brass

brashiest
brashing
brashly
brashness
brashnesses
brashy
brasier
brasiers
brasilein
brasileins
brasilenyne
brasilin
brasilins
brasils
brasofensine

Literary usage of Brass

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Transactions by American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Metallurgical Society of AIME, Society of Mining Engineers of AIME., Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (U.S.). (1921)
"RECLAMATION OF METAL FROM brass-FOUNDRY REFUSE Reclamation of Metal from brass-foundry ... It * Technical Superintendent, The Ohio brass Co. t Metallurgical ..."

2. Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1891)
"This idea is discussed more at length in a paper * read at the meeting of the American Association for Advance of Science, 1890. The lead-lined brass's ..."

3. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"Although the term brass frequently occurs in Scripture from the era of Job downwards, there is no indication that brass, oa known in modern ..."

4. Lectures on the English Comic Writers by William Hazlitt (1845)
"Hark thee, brass, if I do not most nobly by thee, I'ma dog. brass. And when 1 Dick. As soon ta ever I am married. brass. Ay, the plague take thee. Dick. ..."

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