brass

brass

noun \ˈbras\

Definition of BRASS

1

: an alloy consisting essentially of copper and zinc in variable proportions

2

a : the brass instruments of an orchestra or band —often used in plural b : a usually brass memorial tablet c : bright metal fittings, utensils, or ornaments d : empty cartridge shells

3

: brazen self-assurance : gall

4

singular or plural in construction a : high-ranking members of the military b : persons in high positions (as in a business or the government)

— brass adjective

Examples of BRASS

1. a candlestick made of brass
2. The whole orchestra—the strings, percussion, woodwinds, and brass—began to play.
3. The brasses began to play.
4. polishing the brass and the silver

Origin of BRASS

Middle English bras, from Old English bræs; akin to Middle Low German bras metal

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BRASS

Synonyms: audaciousness, audacity, brashness, effrontery, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa), crust, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity

Related Words: arrogance, assurance, cockiness, confidence, hardihood, overconfidence, sanguinity, self-assurance, self-confidence; discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness; back talk, sass; swagger, swash

Near Antonyms: bashfulness, diffidence, faintheartedness, hesitancy, modesty, shyness, timidity, timidness, timorousness; civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, manners

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Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms

assay, bloom, bullion, ductile, ingot, malleable, patina, plate, temper, tensile

Rhymes with BRASS

ass, bass, class, crass, frass, gas, glass, grass, lass, mass, pass, sass, strass, tasse, vas, wrasse