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brass
[bras, brahs]
noun
any of various metal alloys consisting mainly of copper and zinc.
a utensil, ornament, or other article made of such an alloy.
Music.
brass instruments collectively in a band or orchestra.
metallic yellow; lemon, amber, or reddish yellow.
Informal.
high-ranking military officers.
any very important officials.
Informal.excessive self-assurance; impudence; effrontery.
Synonyms: , , , ,Machinery.a replaceable semicylindrical shell, usually of bronze, used with another such to line a bearing; a half bushing.
British.a memorial tablet or plaque, often incised with an effigy, coat of arms, or the like.
Furniture.any piece of ornamental or functional hardware, as a drawer pull, made of brass.
British Slang.money.
adjective
of, made of, or pertaining to brass.
composed for or using musical instruments made of brass.
having the color brass.
brass
/ ɑː /
noun
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
an object, ornament, or utensil made of brass
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
(sometimes functioning as plural) instruments of this family forming a section in an orchestra
( as modifier )
a brass ensemble
a renewable sleeve or bored semicylindrical shell made of brass or bronze, used as a liner for a bearing
informal(functioning as plural) important or high-ranking officials, esp military officers See also brass hat
the top brass
dialectmoney
where there's muck, there's brass!
an engraved brass memorial tablet or plaque, set in the wall or floor of a church
informalbold self-confidence; cheek; nerve
he had the brass to ask for more time
slanga prostitute
(modifier) of, consisting of, or relating to brass or brass instruments
a brass ornament
a brass band
brass
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
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
Word History and Origins
Origin of brass1
Idioms and Phrases
Example Sentences
After the Palisades fire ignited, top brass at the Los Angeles Fire Department were quick to say that they were hampered by broken fire engines and a lack of mechanics to fix them.
He said he changed his tune about Chicago after meeting with Bears brass ahead of last year’s draft.
Bold works can hit with such a wallop that it takes a beat to gauge their lasting impact, to tell which set of brass knuckles left a mark: love or hate?
"The Chancellor has repeatedly refused to rule out another tax raid in the autumn, and now we know why - Labour's top brass, including the Deputy Prime Minister, want to come back for more."
Instead, as club brass surveyed this year’s competitive division landscape, they recognized that — this season more than most — every single victory could matter come the end of the campaign.
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