- Brass
- Brass Brass, n.; pl. {Brasses}. [OE. bras, bres, AS. br[ae]s;
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Mach.) 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}. [1913 Webster]
3. Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey. --Matt. x. 9. [1913 Webster]
4. Impudence; a brazen face. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
5. pl. Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass. [1913 Webster]
The very scullion who cleans the brasses. --Hopkinson. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
7. pl. (Mining) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the color of which is near to that of brass. [1913 Webster]
Note: The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a translation for copper or some kind of bronze. [1913 Webster]
Note: Brass is often used adjectively or in self-explaining compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry. [1913 Webster]
{Brass band} (Mus.), 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; -- called also {Dutch gold}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
