brunt

[ bruhnt ]

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noun

the main force or impact, as of an attack or blow: His arm took the brunt of the blow.

Origin of brunt

1275–1325; Middle English; perhaps originally sexual assault; akin to Old Norse brundr,German Brunft heat, ruttish state, Old English brunetha heat, itching; cognate with Old High German bronado.See burn¹

Other words for brunt

thrust, stress, burden

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use brunt in a sentence

So easily without care or trouble may the brunts of malice be declined or repelled.
Sermons on Evil-Speaking | Isaac Barrow

British Dictionary definitions for brunt

brunt

/ (brʌnt) /

noun

the main force or shock of a blow, attack, etc (esp in the phrase bear the brunt of)

Origin of brunt

C14: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with brunt

brunt

see bear the brunt.

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