brass

[bras, brahs]

noun

1. any of various metal alloys consisting mainly of copper and zinc.

2. a utensil, ornament, or other article made of such an alloy.

3. Music.

   1. brass instrument.

   2. brass instruments collectively in a band or orchestra.

4. metallic yellow; lemon, amber, or reddish yellow.

5. Informal.

   1. high-ranking military officers.

   2. any very important officials.

6. Informal.,  excessive self-assurance; impudence; effrontery.

   Synonyms: chutzpa, gall, brashness, nerve, cheek

7. Machinery.,  a replaceable semicylindrical shell, usually of bronze, used with another such to line a bearing; a half bushing.

8. British.,  a memorial tablet or plaque, often incised with an effigy, coat of arms, or the like.

9. Furniture.,  any piece of ornamental or functional hardware, as a drawer pull, made of brass.

10. British Slang.,  money.

adjective

1. of, made of, or pertaining to brass.

2. composed for or using musical instruments made of brass.

3. having the color brass.

brass

/ brɑːs /

noun

1. an alloy of copper and zinc containing more than 50 per cent of copper. Alpha brass (containing less than 35 per cent of zinc) is used for most engineering materials requiring forging, pressing, etc Alpha-beta brass (35–45 per cent zinc) is used for hot working and extrusion. Beta brass (45–50 per cent zinc) is used for castings. Small amounts of other metals, such as lead or tin, may be added Compare bronze

2. an object, ornament, or utensil made of brass

3. 1. the large family of wind instruments including the trumpet, trombone, French horn, etc, each consisting of a brass tube blown directly by means of a cup- or funnel-shaped mouthpiece

   2. (sometimes functioning as plural) instruments of this family forming a section in an orchestra

   3. ( as modifier )

      a brass ensemble

4. a renewable sleeve or bored semicylindrical shell made of brass or bronze, used as a liner for a bearing

5. informal,  (functioning as plural) important or high-ranking officials, esp military officers See also brass hat

   the top brass

6. dialect,  money

   where there's muck, there's brass!

7. an engraved brass memorial tablet or plaque, set in the wall or floor of a church

8. informal,  bold self-confidence; cheek; nerve

   he had the brass to ask for more time

9. slang,  a prostitute

10. (modifier) of, consisting of, or relating to brass or brass instruments

    a brass ornament

    a brass band

brass

1. A yellowish alloy of copper and zinc, usually 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc. It sometimes includes small amounts of other metals. Brass is strong, ductile, and resistant to many forms of corrosion.

brass

1. Musical instruments traditionally made of brass and played by blowing directly into a small, cup-shaped mouthpiece. They include the French horn, trumpet, trombone, and tuba.

Other Word Forms

• brassish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brass¹

before 1000; 1945–50 brass for def. 5; Middle English bras, Old English bræs; cognate with Old Frisian bres copper, Middle Low German bras metal

Word History and Origins

Origin of brass¹

Old English bræs ; related to Old Frisian bres copper, Middle Low German bras metal

Idioms and Phrases

• bold as brass
• double in brass
• get down to brass tacks

Example Sentences

An eight-piece band plays brass, electric guitar, bongos and timbales, filling the room with music as dancers twirl in a dizzying array.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The research team discovered that coating brass casings with a thin layer of specially chosen materials can expose hidden fingerprint ridges.

Read more on Science Daily

"One time there was a carpet leading up to the altar that became absolutely sodden with urine and droppings and had to be thrown away. They also destroyed the brass work."

Read more on BBC

The landmark legal reference book he edits, Black’s Law Dictionary, is as much a fixture of American courts as black robes, rosewood gavels and brass scales of justice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Offstage brass were above and behind and among us.

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